University of Oklahoma

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: Tenth Circuit
Head of Institution: President David L Boren
University of Oklahoma
President's Executive Office
550 Parrington Oval
Norman, OK 73019
405-325-3916
dboren@ou.edu
Website: http://www.ou.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)

Student Code: Prohibited Conduct 10-11

Mental harassment, being intentional conduct extreme or outrageous, or calculated to cause severe embarrassment, humiliation, shame, fright, grief or intimidation. To constitute mental harassment, the conduct must be of such a nature that a reasonable person would not tolerate it.
View full policy (PDF, 3377 KB).

Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault Policy 10-11

Sexual harassment shall be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the following context: ... When 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 academic environment.
Conduct prohibited by this policy may include, but is not limited to: Unwelcome sexual flirtation; advances or propositions for sexual activity. Continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature, such as suggestive comments and sexually explicit jokes. Sexually degrading language to describe an individual. Remarks of a sexual nature to describe a person's body or clothing. Display of sexually demeaning objects and pictures....
View full policy (PDF, 1038 KB).

Student Code: Prohibited Conduct 10-11

Racial harassment is subjecting any person to differential treatment on the basis of race without legitimate, non-discriminatory reason. When harassment is primarily racial in nature, the provisions of the Racial and Ethnic Harassment Policy shall apply.
View full policy (PDF, 3377 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Student Code: Campus Expression 10-11

In order to protect the rights of all concerned individuals,
any registered student organization wanting to hold
a peaceful protest must register with the Student Affairs
Office by filling out a "Facility Use Request" at least five (5)
days prior to the event. A meeting will be arranged with the
event organizers, Student Affairs and the OUPD to facilitate
the event. Under special circumstances exceptions to the
five-day regulation may be granted by Student Affairs.
View full policy (PDF, 1004 KB).

Posting Policies

Policy on Advertising and Promotion 10-11

Advertising deemed offensive or in poor taste is not acceptable.
This may include, but is not limited to, advertisements derogatory to individuals or a group of people.
View full policy (PDF, 1069 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Student Life: Student Organizations- Facility Use Policy for Registered Student Organizations 10-11

The University of Oklahoma Chief of Police, or his or her designee, shall have the final decisionmaking
capability and will decide how many police officers will be present, if any, and how
many security personnel will be present, if any, after being properly advised as to the content,
purpose, location and reason for the event in question. ... When the director of Student Life determines that additional security beyond that
normally provided is necessary, the director of Student Life shall so inform the RSO. The RSO
shall be responsible for the cost of additional security.
View full policy (PDF, 4451 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 2011. 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.