Appalachian State 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: Fourth Circuit
Head of Institution: Chancellor Kenneth E Peacock
Appalachian State University
ASU Box 32002
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-2000
peacockke@appstate.edu
Website: http://www.appstate.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)

Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance: Types of Harassment- Hostile Environment 10-11

Hostile work or learning environment harassment is a situation in which the employer, a supervisor, a co-worker, or a student does or says things that unreasonably interfere with an individual's work or educational experience or create an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment because of that individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity and expression, religion, creed, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status or disability.
Additional examples of impermissable harassment that could occur in Appalachian’s working, learning, and living environment include the following:

* demeaning photos, calendars, cartoons, or graphic content in areas where other University community members can view them
* telling racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes that demean people because of their protected class membership
* commenting inappropriately on someone’s appearance
* repeatedly requesting dates from a person who clearly isn’t interested
* stating that people of one sex are inferior to people of the other sex or can’t perform their jobs as well as a result of their sex
* sexual innuendoes & comments
* direct or indirect threats or bribes for unwanted sexual activity
* intrusive sexually explicit questions
* sexually suggestive sounds or gestures
* touching, patting, pinching, stroking, squeezing, tickling or brushing against a person
* ogling or leering at a woman’s breast or a man’s derriere
* letters, notes, phone calls or material of a sexual nature
* using derogatory epithets and stories that stereotype members of the LGBT community
* using slang words for people or for groups of people from a particular racial or ethnic group
* imposing religious beliefs on others
View full policy (PDF, 61 KB).

Student Code of Conduct: Conduct Prohibited by the University- Harassment 10-11

i) No student shall threaten, coerce, harass or intimidate another person or identifiable group of person, in a manner that is prohibited, while on University premises or at University-sponsored activities based upon the person's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender-identity, creed, disability, or veteran status. (ii) No student shall engage in prohibited harassment leading to a hostile environment. Prohibited harassment is conduct that creates a hostile environment by meeting the following criteria: it is (a) directed toward a particular person or persons; (b) based on the person's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender-identity, creed, disability, or veteran status; (c) unwelcome; (d) severe or pervasive; (e) objectively offensive; and (f) so unreasonably interferes with the target person's employment, academic pursuits, or participation in University-sponsored activities as to effectively deny equal access to the University's resources and opportunities.
View full policy (PDF, 52 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Guidelines for Student Organizations: Campus Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly 10-11

The following areas are designated as Unscheduled Public Speaking areas: (a) Sanford Mall; (b) Durham Park; (c) the Duck Pond Field behind Trivette Hall; and (d) the open-air amphitheater adjacent to Plemmons Student Union are designated as the Unscheduled Public Speaking Areas on the University campus. These areas are available on a first-come first-served basis for noncommercial speech or assembly unless otherwise scheduled.
View full policy (PDF, 70 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Appalachian State University Policy on the Use of Computers and Data Communications 10-11

Harassment of other users may be the sending of unwanted messages or files. Violations include, but are not limited to:

* interfering with the legitimate work of another user;
* the sending of abusive or obscene messages via computers;
* the use of computer resources to engage in abuse of computer personnel or other users.
View full policy (PDF, 66 KB).

Student Code of Conduct: Conduct Prohibited by the University- Misuse or Abuse of Computers 10-11

Use of computing facilities to send obscene or abusive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 52 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in August 2011. 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.