Red Light School

Oregon State University

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 Edward J Ray
Oregon State University
Office of the President
646 Kerr Administration Building
Corvallis, OR 97331-2128
541-737-4133
ed.ray@oregonstate.edu
Website: http://oregonstate.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)

Red light: Equity and Inclusion: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence Policy 12-13

Sexual harassment includes sexual or gender-based behavior that is unwanted and/or nonconsensual, and has the effect, intended or unintended, of producing harm. It includes behavior along a continuum of severity, from offensive talk to physical violence, including but not limited to rape. Underlying the continuum are the sexist beliefs and attitudes about the inferiority or lesser value of another, and a sense of entitlement and the right to impose the behavior on another.
View full policy (PDF, 278 KB).

Green light: Office of Equity and Inclusion: Understanding Sexual Harassment Brochure 12-13

Sexual harassment is defined as:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it has the effect, intended or unintended, of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance because it has created an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment and would have such an effect on a reasonable person of that individual’s status.
View full policy (PDF, 409 KB).

Green light: Office of Equity and Inclusion: Discrimination and Harassment Policies 12-13

Oregon State University policy prohibits behavior based on another's protected status that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it has the effect, intended or unintended, of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance because it has created an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment and would have such an effect on a reasonable person of that individual’s status.
View full policy (PDF, 173 KB).

Green light: Student Conduct Code: Offenses Proscribed by the University 12-13

Harassment, defined as conduct of any sort directed at another that is severe, pervasive or persistent, and is of a nature that would cause a reasonable person in the victim's position substantial emotional distress and undermine his or her ability to work, study or participate in his or her regular life activities or participate in the activities of the University, and actually does cause the victim substantial emotional distress and undermines the victim's ability to work, study, or participate in the victim's regular life activities or participate in the activities of the University. Stalking behavior that meets this definition constitutes Harassment within the meaning of this rule.
View full policy (PDF, 374 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: Acceptable Use of University Computing Resources 12-13

The computing resources system shall not be used for material or activities that reasonably could be considered harassing, obscene, or threatening by the recipient or another viewer.
View full policy (PDF, 157 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Time, Manner, and Place Rules for Speech Activities 12-13

The University recognizes and supports the rights of free expression and speech.
University grounds are open to the public and the University community for speech activities except any grounds designated for authorized access only.
View full policy (PDF, 224 KB).

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