Red Light School

University of Cincinnati

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

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Sixth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Santa Ono
University of Cincinnati
PO Box 210063
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0063
513-556-2201
president@uc.edu
Website: http://www.uc.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)

Red light: Residence Hall Handbook: Harassment 12-13

Harassment of any individual for any
reason will not be tolerated. Harassment includes but is
not limited to the infliction of mental or emotional abuse,
ridicule, embarrassment, or intimidation.
View full policy (PDF, 60 KB).

Yellow light: Policy Statement on 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: ...
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering
with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an
intimidating, hostile or offensive working or study environment.
In cases in which a hostile environment is alleged, a
determination of a violation requires not only a finding that the victim
regarded the environment as hostile, but also that such conduct was severe,
persistent or pervasive and would be considered hostile by any reasonable
person. Offensive conduct that does not rise to the level of harassment,
however, may be grounds for discipline under other applicable policies.
View full policy (PDF, 123 KB).

Green light: Policy Statement on Discriminatory Harassment 12-13

Harassment is conduct that has the purpose or foreseeable effect of unreasonably interfering with an identifiable individual's work or academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or learning environment for that individual.
Discriminatory harassment is harassment that is based on the targeted individual's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, status as disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era, or age.
To be guilty of harassment, the actor must either intend to produce the consequences described above or act in reckless disregard of whether such consequences might result from his or her actions.
View full policy (PDF, 116 KB).

Yellow light: Code of Student Conduct: Nonacademic Misconduct- Physical Abuse or Harm 12-13

Examples of prohibited behavior include ... verbal abuse, and any other conduct which threatens the health or safety of any person.
View full policy (PDF, 564 KB).

Green light: Code of Student Conduct: Nonacademic Misconduct- Harassment 12-13

Harassment: Conduct that has the purpose or foreseeable effect of unreasonably interfering with an identifiable individual's work or academic performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or learning environment for that individual ....
View full policy (PDF, 564 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Green light: Use of Facilities Policy Manual 12-13

Effective as of June 12, 2012, the University of Cincinnati's Expressive Activity Policy is suspended by court order, as is any regulation of student speech found in the Use of Facilities Policy Manual and the MainStreet Student Event Guide. The president of the university has directed as follows: * Students who wish to engage in any expressive activity in groups of 25 or fewer, including to soliciting signatures on petitions, may do so, without any prior notice to the university, in the Free Speech Area and the open campus areas, plazas, and sidewalks. * Students wishing to engage in any expressive activity in groups of more than 25: (a) are asked to call Campus Scheduling...at least 24 hours in advance, and (b) may conduct activities in the same locations, except that the university reserves the ability, on a case-by-case basis, to change the location of a very large activity (groups of 5,000 or more), but only to the extent necessary to ensure the safety and security of the university community.
View full policy (PDF, 163 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Code of Student Conduct: Nonacademic Misconduct- Misuse of Information Technology 12-13

Use of information technology for unauthorized posting of ... obscenities.
View full policy (PDF, 564 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Code of Student Conduct: Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

Students are members of society as well as members of the academic community. As members of society, students have the same responsibilities as other members of society and enjoy the same freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, and the right of petition that other members of society enjoy.
View full policy (PDF, 564 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.