Red Light School

California State University - Fresno

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: Ninth Circuit
Head of Institution: President John D Welty
California State University - Fresno
5241 N. Maple M/S TA48
Fresno, CA
Fresno, CA 93740-8027
559-278-2324
johnw@csufresno.edu
Website: http://www.csufresno.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: Residence Hall Policies: Harassment 12-13

Behavior in the form of harassment is also not tolerated. Any such behavior may be grounds for dismissal. Harassment is the unwanted imposition of attention, usually in the form of repeated or unwanted verbal or physically abusive behavior (i.e. sexual, racial, religious, etc.), and is strictly prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 74 KB).

Green light: Executive Order 1074: Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students 12-13

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.
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.
View full policy (PDF, 482 KB).

Yellow light: 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)

Yellow light: 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, 671 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Policy on the Use of Buildings and Grounds 12-13

The eastern edge of the University Center, the eastern edge of the
University Student Union South Patio, the northern edge of the Madden
Library, and the eastern edge of the Peace Garden generally bound the
Free Speech Area. It does not include outdoor parts of the University
Student Union, such as patios or balconies, and does not include Food
Services patio areas. The University has designated the Free Speech
Area as the area to allow expressive activity unrelated to its educational
mission on University grounds. The designation of this area is not
meant to constrain freedom of speech on the remainder of campus, but
merely to establish a forum for the convenient use of students and the
general public.
Use of campus facilities shall be by reservation, on a first come, first
serve basis.
View full policy (PDF, 4991 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Standards for Student Conduct 12-13

Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 671 KB).

Red light: Interim Acceptable Use Policy of Information Technology Resources 12-13

No e-mail or message shall be
created or sent, nor Web pages created, that may constitute intimidating, hostile, or offensive material
based on gender, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
View full policy (PDF, 193 KB).

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