Red Light School

Oberlin 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 Marvin Krislov
Oberlin College
Cox Administration Building, Room 201
70 North Professor Street
Oberlin, OH 44074
440-775-8400
marvin.krislov@oberlin.edu
Website: http://www.oberlin.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)

Green light: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Code of Conduct- Harassment 12-13

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, the following examples: ... B. Forms of intimidation or harassment including patterned verbal (oral, written, or electronic communications, including: e-mail, text messages or other electronic media devices) acts or physical behavior related in time that deprive a reasonable person of the ability to enjoy the full benefits of his/her college education as a result of the perceived threat of physical harm or mental harm.
Any verbal, physical, or written act, directed at an individual, that might reasonably be construed to intimidate, coerce, or create a hostile environment for him or her and, in turn, prevent him or her from fully enjoying the educational benefits of the College. At the same time, proscriptions of verbal harassment must not have the effect of limiting the free exchange of ideas or opinions; rude or obnoxious behavior or speech - whether inside or outside the classroom - is not necessarily in itself adjudicable.
View full policy (PDF, 142 KB).

Red light: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Sexual Offense Policy and Procedures 12-13

Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's
performance or that creates an environment that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, or
intimidating.
Sexual offense is behavior, which calls attention to
gender, sexuality, gender identity, or sexual orientation
of persons in a manner that prevents or impairs an individual's full enjoyment of educational or
occupational benefits or opportunities. Enjoyment of
educational or occupational benefits is to be interpreted
broadly. Consequently, a sexual offense may occur on or
off campus as long as it affects the campus community.
Sexual harassment includes behavior that is
inappropriate to the academic or employment
setting - for example, unwelcome or irrelevant
comments, gestures, or touching - that may reasonably be perceived as a sexual overture or
sexual denigration. This includes making known to
other people a person's sexual orientation without
his/her consent, and with the intent to denigrate
that person sexually.
View full policy (PDF, 507 KB).

Green light: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Oberlin College Policy on Discrimination and Harassment 12-13

Harassment is unwelcome speech or conduct (e.g., physical,
oral, graphic, or written) related to one [race, color, sex, marital status, religion,
creed, national origin, disability, age, military or veteran
status, sexual orientation, family relationship to an
employee of Oberlin College, and gender identity and
expression] listed above that is sufficiently severe, persistent
or pervasive so as to (a) interfere substantially with a
person’s work or education or (b) create an environment
that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, or
intimidating.
View full policy (PDF, 186 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Introduction 12-13

In order for
the Oberlin College community to learn and benefit from
the ideas of others, our attachment to the principles of
free speech should also be tempered by a substantial
degree of respect for all members of the community.
Moreover, the exercise of free speech does not extend to
language that is intimidating or harassing to individuals
or that creates a hostile environment for particular
members of the community.
View full policy (PDF, 68 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: General Posting Policy 12-13

All informational materials intended for
public viewing must have the sponsoring
department, student organization, College
committee or individual name clearly displayed.
This includes: flyers, posters, table tents, etc.
In accordance with the Student Bill of Rights,
"members of the College are expected to take
responsibility for their expressions; anonymous
expressions are inimical to the free and open
exchange of ideas."
View full policy (PDF, 163 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Policy for the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources 12-13

Account holders should not abuse
any electronic mail, bulletin board, or
communications system, either local or remote,
by sending rude, obscene, or harassing messages
(including chain letters) or by using these systems
for nonessential purposes during times when the
computers are in heavy demand. Account holders should identify themselves clearly and accurately in all electronic communications, i.e., no anonymous postings. Unofficial mass
e-mailings (i.e., spam) are prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 262 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Student Bill of Rights 12-13

We as a community encourage and
protect free inquiry and the open exchange of facts,
ideas, and opinions. Students are free to take exception
to views offered in courses of study and to reserve
judgment about debatable issues.
Oberlin College exists as an educational community
in which free inquiry and free expression are
indispensable.
Students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately.
Oberlin students are members of both the College
and the greater public communities. The College
supports students in the exercise of their civil rights
and the free exchange of ideas.
View full policy (PDF, 275 KB).

Green light policy: Student Regulations, Policies, and Procedures: Faculty Statement on Freedom of Speech and Expression 12-13

Oberlin College, in its traditions and as an academic institution, is devoted to free and open inquiry. Therefore, it is important that freedom of speech and freedom of expression be guaranteed to individuals and groups to express whatever views they wish, so long as they do not interfere with the rights of others.
View full policy (PDF, 163 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in March 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.