Red Light School

University of North Carolina - Greensboro

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 Linda P Brady
University of North Carolina - Greensboro
303 Mossman Building
P.O. Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
336-334-5266
chancellor@uncg.edu
Website: http://www.uncg.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)

Green light: Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Hate Crime: "...physical or verbal conduct directed at an individual on the basis or race, religion, sexual orientation, or similar personal characteristics that is sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to substantially interfere with the individual's employment, education, or access to university programs, activities, and opportunities... and detrimentally affects the individual in question and would also detrimentally affect a reasonable person under the same circumstances."
1. No student shall threaten, coerce, harass or intimidate another person or identifiable group of persons, in a manner that is unlawful or in violation of a valid University policy, while on University premises or at University sponsored activities based upon the person’s race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender-identity, creed, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status.
No student shall engage in unlawful harassment leading to a hostile environment. Unlawful harassment includes conduct that creates a hostile environment by meeting the following criteria: It is:
Directed toward a particular person or persons;
Based upon the person’s race, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender-identify, creed, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status;
Unwelcome;
Severe or pervasive;
Objectively offensive; and
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, 1183 KB).

Green light: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

Facts will be judged on the basis of what is reasonable to persons of
ordinary sensitivity and not on the particular susceptibility of an
individual, unless that susceptibility is known to the alleged harasser.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal
and physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute "environmental sexual
harassment" when such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment which unreasonably
interferes with another's work, academic performance, or privacy.
View full policy (PDF, 424 KB).

Red light: Policy on Discriminatory Conduct 12-13

UNCG will not tolerate any harassment of, discrimination against, or disrespect for persons.
View full policy (PDF, 100 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Outdoor Assemblies and Distribution/Petitioning Policy 12-13

Prior to any outdoor assembly of an affiliated person or group, notification of the event must be provided to University Police at (336) 334-5963 at least 12 hours before the event so that the Police may institute any necessary safety measures for both the speaker and those who attend. Notification must include the name of the student organization, unit or individual sponsoring the event, the date, time and location of the event, the nature of the event, and an estimated number of persons expected to attend.
No outdoor assembly may be conducted within 200 feet of a childcare playground or facility, or within 30 feet of any building.
View full policy (PDF, 292 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Housing and Residence Life Policies: Posting Policy 12-13

The advertisement, posters, fliers, notices, signs or banner must be in good taste and appropriate for its
intended purpose.
View full policy (PDF, 310 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: Acceptable Use of Computing and Electronic Resources 12-13

Individuals subject to this policy are responsible for exercising good judgment regarding the use of technology and information systems. Use of these systems is permitted, with the following restrictions and conditions: ... The use is lawful and not prohibited by University of North Carolina Board of Governors or University policies, including rules regarding academic integrity, harassment, discrimination, copyright, trademark, and rules prohibiting use of State property for private gain or to advocate for or against a candidate or issue in an election. ... No user shall send unsolicited mass communications without proper authorization from the manager with jurisdiction over the population to be reached. This includes the sending of "spam" (junk e-mail) or other commercial advertising material to individuals.
View full policy (PDF, 176 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Outdoor Assemblies and Distribution/Petitioning Policy 12-13

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro values freedom of speech as one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the U. S. Constitution and as the best means for arriving at truth and mutual understanding. Peaceable assembly and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances are also rights guaranteed by the First Amendment and are concomitant to the right of free speech.
View full policy (PDF, 292 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.