Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.
| Public or Private: | Private | |
| Federal Circuit: | Second Circuit | |
| Head of Institution: | President Shirley A Jackson Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 110 8th St. 3031 Troy Building Troy, NY 12180-3590 518-276-6211 president@rpi.edu |
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| Website: | http://www.rpi.edu | |
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Do you have any information, updates, or changes regarding the policies at this institution? Let us know!
On this page, FIRE has excerpted policies that address speech and expression. You may download the full policy in .pdf form, below.
Restrictions on Expressive Rights
Harassment Policies (Learn More)
Student Handbook: Sexual Harassment 12-13
examples of specifically prohibited conduct include:
...
* Engaging in sexually suggestive conversation that is
unwelcome or physical contact or touching another
student or employee in a way that is unwelcome.
*Displaying, storing, or transmitting pornographic or
sexually oriented materials ....
for sexual favors, or visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a
sexual nature when:
...
(3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of
unreasonably interfering with a students or employee's work
performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
working, educational, or living environment.
Free Speech Zones
Student Handbook: Rules for Maintenance of Public Order 12-13
in an academic community and the Trustees
are confident that no member or group of the
Institute community will go beyond the bounds
set by these regulations. In order to maintain
the safety and to safeguard the interests of all
members of the Institute community, any
group or individual planning a demonstration
must submit an Application For Approval of
Peaceful Demonstration to the Dean of
Students Office at least seven (7) days prior to
the proposed demonstration date and include
its proposed location and the object of the
intended protest, or other purpose. If a
situation emerges for which a seven day notice
is neither appropriate nor practical, the Dean
of Students shall exercise reasonable discretion
by reviewing the application to reasonably
assure student safety and to safeguard the
interests of all members of the Rensselaer
community.
Posting Policies
Sign Policy for Residence Halls and Apartments 12-13
Student Handbook: Sign Policy 12-13
signs deemed to be graphically
inappropriate, profane, libelous, in
unsightly condition, or outdated
information.
Internet Usage Policies
Policy on Electronic Citizenship 12-13
Computer Harassment includes, but is not limited to, using Rensselaer's computer systems or networks: (1) to annoy, harass, terrify, intimidate, threaten, offend or bother another person (for example, by conveying abusive, profane, defamatory or offensive messages, obscene language, pictures, or other materials, or threats of bodily harm); (2) to contact another person repeatedly to annoy, harass, or bother, whether or not any actual message is communicated, and/or where no purpose of legitimate communication exists, and where the recipient has expressed a desire for the communication to cease; (3) to contact another person repeatedly regarding a matter for which one does not have a legal right to communicate, once the recipient has expressed a desire for such communication to cease; (4) to disrupt or damage the academic, research, administrative, or related pursuits of another; (5) to invade or threaten to invade the privacy, academic or otherwise, of another.
Other Speech Codes
Student Handbook: Rules for Maintenance of Public Order 12-13
language or gestures which are
unreasonably abusive or obscene.
actions likely to provoke or encourage
physical violence.
speech, discussion, or public event shall
treat all participants in an orderly and
reasonably courteous manner.
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Student Handbook: Rules for Maintenance of Public Order 12-13
community. Freedom of speech and freedom
of assembly are essential to academic
freedom.
Student Handbook: Student Bill of Rights 12-13
nation at large, and the Institute shall not
impede or obstruct students in the exercise of
their fundamental rights as citizens.
NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.
The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in May 2013. According to FIRE’s research the substantive policies are current at least until this date. Directory information, including the name of the president of the college or university, may have been updated more recently. If any policy has been revised, or if you believe that we are in error, please contact us.
