Red Light School

University of Tulsa

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: Tenth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Steadman W Upham
University of Tulsa
600 South College
Tulsa, OK 74104
918-631-2305
steadman-upham@utulsa.edu
Website: http://www.utulsa.edu

« Return to School Overview

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)

Red light: University Student Conduct Policies & Procedures: Policy on Harassment 12-13

Verbal Prohibited Harassment may occur in person, by telephone or other audio means. Physical Prohibited Harassment may be conduct such as assault, impeding or blocking movement or any physical interference with normal activities or movement. Visual forms of Prohibited Harassment may include notes, email, blogging or other electronic means, derogatory posters, cartoons, graffiti or drawings.
Some examples of Prohibited Harassment include, but are not limited to:
...
c. verbal or written comments or statements that are intimidating, threatening, demeaning,
humiliating, sexually suggestive, insulting, vulgar, or lewd; ... inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature or similar jokes and stories, whether
sexual or related to any actual or perceived status as set out at A.1 hereinabove; ... i. the inappropriate use or display of materials such as posters, photos, cartoons or graffiti
that are demeaning or offensive;
j. inappropriate comments, communicated by any means, that demean, intimidate, threaten
or harm an individual's reputation;
k. telephone or other audio contact, letters, notes, blog or other postings, or electronic mail
containing comments, words, or images as described above.
Prohibited Harassment includes any conduct or behavior of an inappropriate nature where: ...
c. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic or work performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working, educational or campus living environment.
Prohibited Harassment related to an individual's reputation may include any form of inappropriate conduct which is defamatory, demeaning, intimidating, threatening, or otherwise places an individual in fear of harm to his or her person or reputation on or off campus.
View full policy (PDF, 884 KB).

Red light: University Student Conduct Policies & Procedures: Policy on Harassment 12-13

Sexual harassment is defined by law and also constitutes Prohibited Harassment; generally under the law, it includes any unwanted or unsolicited sexual gesture, physical contact, or statement which, when viewed from the perspective of a reasonable person similarly situated, is offensive, threatening, humiliating, or interferes with a person's ability to perform his or her job, educational pursuit, or participation in campus life.
View full policy (PDF, 884 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: General Standard of Conduct 12-13

Examples of violations of the General Standard of Conduct may include, but are not limited to, the following: ... The use of threatening or obscene language toward another.
View full policy (PDF, 241 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: University Student Conduct Policies & Procedures: Use of Facilities 12-13

Areas and facilities owned by the University are private property. Any person, group or entity
either internal or external to the University wishing to use these areas and/or facilities must
contact the appropriate office responsible for that area or facility listed at the end of this policy
well in advance in order to request to reserve the facility.
Two types of events require the appropriate Vice President's approval. These are: 1) In the case of an
event which a reasonable person would understand to be a protest or demonstration defined as a person or
assembly of persons engaged in a rally, march, sit-in, fast or other public manifestation of welcome,
approval, protest or disapproval but not social or athletic exhibitions or events; and 2) In the case of an
event that might be reasonably expected to draw more than 200 members of the public and/or present the
University with parking, safety or health problems.
View full policy (PDF, 884 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: University Student Conduct Policies & Procedures: Ethics Code and Policy for Computer Use 12-13

The electronic communication facilities are not to be used for the transmission of commercial or
personal advertisements, solicitations, promotions, destructive programs, political material, or any
other unauthorized or personal use.
Use of the electronic communication facilities (such as electronic mail, telephone mail, or
systems with similar functions) to send fraudulent, harassing, obscene, indecent, profane,
intimidating, or other unlawful messages is prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 884 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: University Student Conduct Policies & Procedures: Statement on Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities 12-13

The rights of free inquiry and free expression, both public and private, are essential to the learning process and must be protected by the responsible and mutually supporting efforts of all segments of the University community. These rights shall not be infringed upon.
The University of Tulsa exists to promote the academic and social development of its students, the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, and a sense of responsibility toward self and society. A deep respect for the fundamental rights of expression, assembly and petition is indispensable to the attainment of these goals.
View full policy (PDF, 884 KB).

Green light policy: University Student Conduct Policies & Procedures: Public Disturbances 12-13

The University recognizes that students have the rights and privileges granted to all citizens in the Bill of Rights - specifically freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of dissent.
View full policy (PDF, 884 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

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.