University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.
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)
Policy on Prohibited Harassment and Discrimination 10-11
The following definitions are applicable to this policy. ... Harassment: A form of discrimination that occurs when verbal or physical conduct based on an individual's [race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression] unreasonably interferes with that individual's work or academic performance or creates a hostile work or educational environment for that individual, including affecting his/her personal safety or participation in University-sponsored activities.
The following definitions are applicable to this policy. ... Hostile Environment * Unwelcome conduct by an individual(s) against another individual based upon [race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression] that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of education or employment and creates an environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive. The determination of whether an environment is hostile must be based on all of the circumstances. These circumstances could include the severity of the conduct, the frequency and whether it is threatening or offensive. An isolated incident unless extremely severe will usually not amount to hostile environment harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 9419 KB).
Instrument of Student Governance: Conduct Affecting Persons 10-11
Sexual misconduct that involves: ... Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that expressly or implicitly imposes conditions upon, threatens, interferes with, or creates an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning environment for an individual’s (I) academic pursuits, (II) University employment, (III) participation in activities sponsored by the University or organizations or groups related to the University, or (IV) opportunities to benefit from other aspects of University life.
View full policy (PDF, 298 KB).
Instrument of Student Governance: Conduct Affecting Persons 10-11
Harassment or intimidation that abuses, disparages, or otherwise interferes with another so as to adversely affect their academic pursuits, opportunities for University employment, participation in University-sponsored extracurricular activities, or opportunities to benefit from other aspects of University life.
View full policy (PDF, 298 KB).
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Instrument of Student Governance: Expanded Statement of Commitment by Students and Faculty 10-11
In order to ensure effective functioning of an Honor System worthy of respect in this institution students are expected to: ... Treat all members of the University community with respect and fairness.
View full policy (PDF, 298 KB).
Free Speech Zones
Facilities Use Policy 10-11
Subject to restrictions on the use of University facilities prescribed elsewhere in this policy, the University permits assemblies and gatherings of University-sponsored, University-affiliated and nonaffiliated groups (i) without prior approval in Y-Court and the Carolina Union "Pit" and (ii) with prior approval, in any other exterior location.
View full policy (PDF, 168 KB).
Posting Policies
Housing and Residential Education: Community Living Standards- Decorations 10-11
When decorating exterior room doors or common areas, the Department of Housing and Residential
Education requires that residents avoid posting materials that would constitute harassment or
discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s
status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in violation of the University’s Policy on
Prohibited Harassment and Discrimination located on the Campus Policies and Procedures website
(http://www.unc.edu/campus/policies.html).
View full policy (PDF, 571 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
UNC-Chapel Hill Network Acceptable Use Policy 10-11
Users may not distribute or send unlawful communications of any kind, including but not limited to cyberstalking, threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography, or other illegal communications (as defined by law). This provision applies to any electronic communication distributed or sent within the University Network or to other networks while using the University Network.
View full policy (PDF, 98 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Instrument of Student Governance: Student Rights of Privacy and Expression 10-11
Students have the same rights of privacy and expression as other citizens....
View full policy (PDF, 298 KB).
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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in July 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.
