Red Light School

Kenyon College

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

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Sixth Circuit
Head of Institution: President S. Georgia Nugent
Kenyon College
Ransom Hall
Gambier, OH 43022
740-427-5111
nugent@kenyon.edu
Website: http://www.kenyon.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: Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedures 12-13

Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome and unsolicited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when ... such conduct (a) has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with a student's academic performance, (b) is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it adversely and unreasonably affects a student's participation in or receipt of benefit from an educational program, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational environment; or c) otherwise adversely and unreasonably affects a student's learning opportunities.
Sex discrimination and sexual harassment can take many forms, including but not limited to the following: ... * repeated and unwanted comments that stigmatize another on the basis of one's sex ....
View full policy (PDF, 108 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Discriminatory Harassment 12-13

Speech or other expression constitutes harassment by personal vilification if it:

*
is intended to insult or stigmatize an individual or an identifiable group of College-related individuals on the basis of their race, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, and
*
is addressed directly to (though not necessarily in the presence of) the individual or individuals whom it insults or stigmatizes, and,
*
makes use of words or nonverbal symbols that convey hatred or contempt for human beings on the basis of their race, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
Other examples of harassment include:

*
epithets or "jokes" referring to an individual's group-based attributes;
*
*placement of offensive written or visual material on another's living quarters or work area;
*
offensive messages sent through email....
Speech that conveys reasoned opinion, principled conviction, or speculation
is not harassment. For example, the assertions that �all whites are racist� or
�affirmative action is wrong� or �Christians are foolish to believe �� are not
harassment. Of course, the mere claim of engagement in reasoned opinion
is not sufficient to lift the charge of harassment. For example, shouting
racist insults under a residence-hall window at night cannot disguise itself as 9
�reasoned opinion.� However, debates, discussions, arguments, however lively,
do not give grounds for harassment charges.
Political commentary and satire are not harassment. For example, satirical
comments about the Laramie Project are not harassment. Putting a Confederate
flag on one’s own door would also not be harassment, however offensive it
might be deemed by many. Again, the mere claim of political commentary or
satire cannot excuse what is really harassment.
[T]he telling of racist jokes is not harassment unless directed at a member of the scorned group for the purpose of insulting or stigmatizing that person by his or her group membership. Similarly, group libel (e.g., "all Jews..."), however revolting, is not harassment by this definition if it is not directed at particular individuals or an identifiable group of College-related individuals.
View full policy (PDF, 93 KB).

Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)

Red light: Student Handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

Any behavior which seriously affects the academic performance of the student or of fellow students, which offends the sensibilities of others (whether students, faculty members, or visitors), or which causes damage to the property of the College or of individuals will result in disciplinary action. Kenyon students are required at all times to show due respect and courtesy; and vulgar behavior, obscene language, or disorderly conduct are not tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 48 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: Student Handbook: Computers and E-Mail 12-13

Do not use computing resources for any activity which may intimidate, harass or
threaten others.
View full policy (PDF, 51 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Discriminatory Harassment 12-13

By accepting membership in this community, students and employees not only retain
a right to free expression and free inquiry, but also accept a responsibility for honesty,
tolerance, and respect for the rights and dignity of others.
View full policy (PDF, 93 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.