Yellow Light School

Bowling Green State University

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.

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Sixth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Mary Ellen Mazey
Bowling Green State University
220 McFall Center
Bowling Green, OH 43403
419-372-2211
Website: http://www.bgsu.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 Handbook: Sexual Harassment 12-13

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual
harassment when: ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's employment or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational
environment.
View full policy (PDF, 179 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Racial and Ethnic Harassment 12-13

Racial and ethnic harassment constitutes any physical or verbal behavior
that subjects an individual to an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational, employment or living environment. Such harassment:
A. Denigrates or stereotypes an individual because of his or her racial or ethnic affiliation;
B. Demeans or slurs an individual through pictorial illustrations, graffiti or written documents or material because of his or her racial or ethnic affiliation;
C. Makes unwarranted and disparaging references or innuendoes in attributing an individual's personal conduct, habit or lifestyle due to his or her racial or ethnic affiliation.
View full policy (PDF, 297 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Codes of Conduct- Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, sexual contact without permission, stalking, coercion and other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person. This section is intended to include any contact or communication that threatens, harasses, or injures a person.
View full policy (PDF, 178 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Speak Out Area 12-13

For the convenience of our students, faculty, staff and community members, a specifically designated "speak out zone," is available in front of the Bowen-Thompson Student Union. This area allows individuals or groups who wish to exercise their free speech rights the greatest opportunity to reach the widest audiences possible. This area is not reservable and is used on a "first-come, first served" basis.
View full policy (PDF, 314 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Space and Facilities Reservations 12-13

Departments, student organizations or groups outside the University desiring to use campus grounds must complete an application for grounds use. ... Application for use of designated campus grounds must be made in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union Administrative Office at least ten (10) University working days before the date of the use.
View full policy (PDF, 314 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Poster Advertising Policy for Residence Halls 12-13

The Office of Residence Life has the right to refuse any advertising done within residence halls that does not support the goals and objectives of the department, the Division of Student Affairs or the University community.
View full policy (PDF, 96 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Codes of Conduct- Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or abusive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 178 KB).

Yellow light: Academic Resource Center: Acceptable Use Policy 12-13

Displaying distasteful or offensive material disrupts our work environment and will not be permitted.
View full policy (PDF, 61 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Speak Out Area 12-13

Bowling Green State University is committed to the ideals and constitutional rights associated with freedom of speech. It is a given that the University, in its entirety, is considered to be an environment where free speech, the expression of ideas and thoughts, and the exchange of opinion occur throughout the campus.
View full policy (PDF, 314 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Codes of Conduct- Student Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

One of the concerns of Bowling Green State University is to provide each student with the opportunity to learn. Therefore, some personal freedoms and rights of students include, but are not limited to:
1. Freedom of inquiry, speech and assembly.
View full policy (PDF, 294 KB).

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 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.