Red Light School

Stony Brook University

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Samuel L Stanley
Stony Brook University
The Office of the President
310 Administration Building
Stony Brook, NY 11794-0701
631-632-6265
Website: http://www.stonybrook.edu

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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)

Yellow light: University Student Conduct Code: Sexual Misconduct Policy 12-13

Sexual Harassment. No student shall participate in creating an environment that is
sexually intimidating, abusive, hostile, sufficiently severe, pervasive, AND
objectively offensive to others. This includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual reference or gestures, sexual exploitation, sexual comments, teasing;
sexual slurs, derogatory statements, or other verbal abuse; graphic or sexually
suggestive comments about an individual's attire or body; inquiries or discussions
about sexual activities; sexually suggestive letters or other written materials;
sexual touching, brushing up against another in a sexual manner, graphic or
sexually suggestive gestures, cornering, pinching, grabbing, kissing, or fondling.
View full policy (PDF, 117 KB).

Green light: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and verbal or physical conduct of an abusive, sexual nature constitute harassment when such conduct interferes with an individual's work or academic performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.
View full policy (PDF, 60 KB).

Yellow light: University Student Conduct Code: Offenses Against Persons 12-13

No student shall threaten, assault, haze or otherwise physically, psychologically, verbally, or in writing by electronic means or otherwise, abuse any other person. This includes but is not limited to, incidents of bias-related acts of assault or abuse, or any incidents of verbal, written, physical, psychological harassment or abuse. No student shall post or distribute disparaging or compromising images of another, altered or otherwise or post denigrating text on but not limited to the following modes: internet websites or newspapers, without the express consent/authorization of the other individual.
View full policy (PDF, 113 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: University Student Conduct Code: Responsible Use of Information Technology 12-13

No user may, under any circumstances, use campus computers or networks to
harass or defame (slander, libel, etc.) any other person.
View full policy (PDF, 114 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Public Assembly 12-13

Assemblies requiring no Services may take place without any prior notification by the sponsors and/or organizers.
Free speech and peaceful assembly are rights of citizens and are fundamental to the University as a center for open inquiry in the search for knowledge and insight. The University is strongly committed to the protection of these rights for all members of the campus community.
View full policy (PDF, 122 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in September 2012. 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.