California Polytechnic 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.
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)
Housing & Dining License Agreement 12-13
Physical or verbal abuse or harassment against any member of the University housing
community is prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 787 KB).
Sexual Harassment Prevention 12-13
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when: ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work, learning, or social environment.
View full policy (PDF, 119 KB).
Executive Order 1074: Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students 12-13
Sexual Harassment, as defined in California Education Code 212.5, consists of both non-sexual conduct based on sex or sex-stereotyping and conduct that is sexual in nature, and includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature where: ... The conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the Student, and is in fact considered by the Student, as limiting the Student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University.
Harassment means unwelcome conduct engaged in because of a Protected Status that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the Student, and is in fact considered by the Student, as limiting the Student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University.
View full policy (PDF, 482 KB).
Executive Order 1072: Implementation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Related Sexual Harassment/Violence Legislation for CSU Students 12-13
"Sexual Harassment" is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that includes, but is not limited to: sexual violence; sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; indecent exposure; and other verbal, nonverbal or physical unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, where such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the individual, and is in fact considered by the individual, as limiting the individual's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the university. Sexual harassment also includes gender-based harassment, which may include acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on sex or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.
View full policy (PDF, 256 KB).
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Standards for Student Conduct 12-13
Students are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, to be civil to one another and to others in the campus community, and contribute positively to student and university life.
View full policy (PDF, 166 KB).
Free Expression, Sponsorship, Commercialism and Use of Buildings and Grounds 12-13
[A]ll members of the University community should recognize that freedom of expression includes a responsibility to respect the dignity of others, to acknowledge the right of others to express differing opinions and to maintain civility at all times.
View full policy (PDF, 938 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
IT Responsible Use Policy: Specific Examples of Responsible and Irresponsible Uses 12-13
Harassment: * Displaying an intimate, suggestive or disturbing image which a reasonable person would consider objectionable as the "wallpaper" or screen saver on a computer that is routinely visible to other students, staff and faculty. * Repeatedly sending threatening or harassing e-mail or voice mail to another individual.
View full policy (PDF, 289 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Free Expression, Sponsorship, Commercialism and Use of Buildings and Grounds 12-13
Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society and is essential to the educational process. Universities have a special obligation not only to tolerate but also to encourage and support the free expression of ideas, values and opinions, even where they may be unpopular or controversial. Cal Poly accepts and embraces this obligation, recognizing that such expression may take a variety of forms, such as speeches, signs, written materials, public assemblies, parades, demonstrations and artistic representation.
Acknowledging the central role the unfettered exchange of information and ideas plays in learning and in a free society, the University shall ensure that individuals and groups are afforded wide latitude in exercising the right of free expression and that their constitutionally protected right to free expression is not abridged.
View full policy (PDF, 938 KB).
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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in February 2013. 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.
