University of Oregon

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 Robert M Berdahl
University of Oregon
Office of the President
110 Johnson Hall
Eugene, OR 97403
541-346-3036
pres@oregon.uoregon.edu
Website: http://www.uoregon.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)

Office of Affirmative Action & Equal Employment: Definitions Related to Discrimination 11-12

With respect to behavior by UO employees directed
toward UO students, sexual harassment is defined as:
Any sexual advance, any request for sexual favors, or other
verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature by a UO
employee when ... such conduct
interferes with the work or academic performance of a
student because it has created an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive working or academic environment for the student
who is the object of the conduct and a reasonable person
of that student’s gender would have been affected
similarly to the student.
In all other situations, specifically with respect to
issues in connection with nonstudent employment,
sexual harassment is defined as:
Any sexual advance, any request for sexual favors,
or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
when: ... (c) such conduct
is unwelcome and sufficiently severe or pervasive that it*
interferes with work or academic performance because it
has created an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working
or academic environment for the individual who is the
object of such conduct, and where the conduct would
have such an effect on a reasonable person of that
person’s gender.
View full policy (PDF, 489 KB).

Office of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity: Definitions Related to Discrimination 11-12

Racial Harassment: This is conduct that disparages, ridicules, and/or is physically abusive of a person based on that person's race. (See Discriminatory Harassment.)
Discriminatory Harassment: This is conduct that unreasonably discriminates among individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it interferes with work or academic performance because it has created an intimidating, hostile, or degrading environment and would have such an effect on a reasonable person of the alleged victim's status.
View full policy (PDF, 489 KB).

Student Conduct Code: Definitions 11-12

"Harassment" means ...
Unreasonable insults, gestures, or abusive words, in the immediate presence, and directed to, another person that may reasonably cause emotional distress or provoke a violent response (including but not limited to electronic mail, conventional mail and telephone) except to the extent such insults, gestures or abusive words are protected expression ....
View full policy (PDF, 12792 KB).

Office of the Dean of Students: Examples of Conduct Code Violations 11-12

Harassment: Unreasonable insults, gestures, or abusive words directed to another person that may reasonably cause emotional distress. Example: Sending an e-mail to a professor using curse words.
View full policy (PDF, 926 KB).

Student Conduct Code: Definitions 11-12

"Sexual Misconduct" means: ... Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with work or academic performance because it has created an intimidating, hostile, or degrading environment and would have such an effect on a reasonable person of the alleged complainant's status when the conduct is unwelcome and sufficiently severe or pervasive that it deprives that person of benefits of the University's educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 12792 KB).

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

Student Conduct Code: Violations of Community Standards by Individual Students 11-12

The following conduct violates standards of respect for property and shared University resources: ... Disorderly conduct (including that resulting from the use of alcohol), unreasonable noise, or conduct that results in unreasonable annoyance ....
View full policy (PDF, 12792 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

University of Oregon Bias Response Team 11-12

Bias is any physical, spoken or written act of abuse, harassment, intimidation, use of vulgarity, cursing, making remarks of a personally destructive nature toward any other person, and any restriction or prevention of free movement of an individual. Bias occurs whether that act is, intentional or unintentional or is directed toward an individual or group regarding race, color, creed, national origin; Sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, political, religious ideology, or any other distinguishing characteristic.
The fundamental role of the Bias Response Team (BRT) is to provide targets of bias a safe space to have their voices heard, to promote civility and respect, to effect change around these important issues in a quick and effective manner, and to ensure a comprehensive response to bias incidents. The BRT also functions to ensure the evaluation of policies and procedures. The Bias Response Team does not adjudicate student conduct code violations, affirmative action issues, or issues of state or federal law.
View full policy (PDF, 420 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

University of Oregon Policies: Freedom of Inquiry and Free Speech 11-12

The University of Oregon values and supports free and open inquiry. The commitment to free speech and freedom of inquiry described in this policy extends to all members of the UO community: Faculty, staff, and students. It also extends to all others who visit or participate in activities held on the UO campus.
Free speech is central to the academic mission and is the central tenet of a free and democratic society. The University encourages and supports open, vigorous, and challenging debate across the full spectrum of human issues as they present themselves to this community. Further, as a public institution, the University will sustain a higher and more open standard for freedom of inquiry and free speech than may be expected or preferred in private settings.

Free inquiry and free speech are the cornerstones of an academic institution committed to the creation and transfer of knowledge. Expression of diverse points of view is of the highest importance, not solely for those who present and defend some view but for those who would hear, disagree, and pass judgment on those views. The belief that an opinion is pernicious, false, and in any other way despicable, detestable, offensive or "just plain wrong" cannot be grounds for its suppression.
View full policy (PDF, 794 KB).

University of Oregon Policies: Affirmation of Community Standards 11-12

The University of Oregon community is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and the development of integrity. In order to thrive and excel, this community must preserve the freedom of thought and expression of all its members. The University of Oregon has a long and illustrious history in the area of academic freedom and freedom of speech.
View full policy (PDF, 294 KB).

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