Yellow Light School

California State University - Bakersfield

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: Ninth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Dr. Horace Mitchell
California State University - Bakersfield
Office of the President
9001 Stockdale Highway
Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099
661-664-2241
mitchell@csub.edu
Website: http://www.csub.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: Nondiscrimination and Nonharassment Policy 12-13

A racially hostile environment consists of harassing conduct (e.g. physical, verbal, graphic or written) that is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided.
View full policy (PDF, 261 KB).

Yellow light: Nondiscrimination and Nonharassment Policy 12-13

Sexual harassment includes such behavior as sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards an employee, student or applicant when one or more of the following circumstances are present: ... The conduct had the purpose or effect of interfering with a student's academic performance, creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or otherwise adverse learning environment, or adversely affecting any student.
View full policy (PDF, 261 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: 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, 136 KB).

Yellow light: University Catalog: Campus Policy on Disruptive and Violent Behavior 11-13

For the purpose of this policy, violence, threats of violence, and other inappropriate behaviors include, but are not limited to:
* any act that is physically or emotionally assaultive ....
View full policy (PDF, 48 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: Standards for Student Conduct 12-13

Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or
intimidating and abusive message.
View full policy (PDF, 136 KB).

Yellow light: Computer and Network Use Policy 12-13

Using electronic mail to harass or threaten others. This includes sending repeated, unwanted e-mail to another user.
View full policy (PDF, 102 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Behavioral Assessment and Response Team: Referral Procedures 12-13

Examples of appropriate BART referrals are: ... * Interest and frequent discussions of violence, killing, raping, torturing, guns, or explosives;
* Art, stories, or essays focused on the above themes; ... Inconsiderate, rude, vulgar, demeaning, discriminatory, racist, insulting statements, gestures, or behaviors that are likely to provoke anger, aggression, or be distressing to a reasonable person
Behavioral Assessment and Response Team (BART) was assembled to be a central place for the campus community to report any dangerous, concerning, or uncivil behavior on campus (Please see Incident Reporting Form).

The goal is early detection of conflicts and concerns before they escalate into more serious problems. Of primary concern are those behaviors that put the health and safety of any person on campus at risk. As a general rule, any concerning behavior by anyone on campus that is not already being appropriately addressed can be referred to BART for assessment and appropriate response. BART is intended to be a non-punitive way to get help for those who need it on campus, so simply being referred to BART will not suggest wrongdoing or impede someone's academic success. If the report involves violations of the student code of conduct or of legal statutes, the case may be referred to the appropriate authority.
View full policy (PDF, 94 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: University Catalog: Policy on Academic Freedom and Responsibility 11-13

Freedom of inquiry and the open exchange of ideas are fundamental to the vitality of our academic institutions. ... California State University is committed to assuring that all persons may exercise the rights of free expression, speech, and assembly ....
View full policy (PDF, 81 KB).

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