Red Light School

Gettysburg College

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: Third Circuit
Head of Institution: President Janet M Riggs
Gettysburg College
Campus Box 0418
Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-337-6000
riggs@gettysburg.edu
Website: http://www.gettysburg.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)

Red light: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment and Sexually Inappropriate Behaviors 12-13

Gettysburg College prohibits all sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and sexually inappropriate behavior. ... C. Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances or threats, deliberate or careless use of offensive or demeaning terms that have sexual connotations or are gender-based, repeated and unwelcome requests for sexual favors or a romantic relationship, repeated and unwelcome letters, phone calls, or e-mails of a sexual or romantic nature, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal, electronic, or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.
D. Sexually inappropriate behavior: Includes behaviors which may not rise to the level of sexual harassment but is still sexual in nature. For example conduct that may be an isolated occurrence or rude, obscene or sexually suggestive gestures or communication. Disrobing or exposure of one’s self to another person without that person’s consent is another example.
View full policy (PDF, 234 KB).

Yellow light: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Proscribed Conduct 12-13

Use of computing facilities and resources to send or intentionally receive obscene or abusive messages.
Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, or conduct which threatens or
endangers the health or safety of any person.
View full policy (PDF, 155 KB).

Green light: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Harassment Policy 12-13

Harassment includes physical, verbal, graphic, or written conduct (including harassment via e-mail, instant
messenger, text messaging or other electronic means), that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to
unreasonably interfere with or limit the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the programs,
services, activities or privileges provided by the College.
Harassment is discriminatory if the conduct is based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, accent, sexual
orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, or disability.
View full policy (PDF, 42 KB).

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

Yellow light: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

[A]ll members of the community are expected to engage in civil
discourse, reasoned thought, sustained discussion and constructive participation without degrading, abusing or
silencing others. ... Behavior that violates these standards is considered a serious breach of
responsibility and the College will determine an appropriate response; which may include mediation, public
forum or other educational means.
View full policy (PDF, 212 KB).

Yellow light: Residence Life Guidebook: Community Living - Respecting Others 12-13

YOU HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY to act respectfully toward members of the college community, which means NOT participating in behaviors that are harassing, intimidating, demeaning, violent, abusive or without consent.
View full policy (PDF, 188 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Computer Network Use Policy 12-13

Protection from Harassment: All members of the College community are encouraged to communicate differing perspectives. Community members are also,
however, entitled to work and live in an environment free of harassment. Therefore any network activity that violates the College's harassment policy is prohibited.
Defamatory remarks and obscenity are also prohibited. The use of overt profanity is strongly discouraged.
View full policy (PDF, 137 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Bias Related Conduct 12-13

Gettysburg College encourages prompt reporting of any Bias Related Conduct so that it can investigate the alleged facts for possible violation(s) of College policy, including the Student Code of Conduct, and refer complaints to law enforcement authorities in order to determine whether an independent investigation for violation(s) of criminal law is warranted.
For the purposes of this Policy, a bias incident involves behavior (whether physical or verbal) that is motivated by bias based on actual or perceived race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, or disability, but that does not rise to the level of a hate crime or a violation of College policy. ... Bias incidents may take the form of but are not limited to the following: ... Offensive jokes ... Inappropriate references to one’s race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation
View full policy (PDF, 154 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

Free inquiry and expression are indispensable elements in the achievement of the goals of this
academic community. It is therefore expected that diverse views will be voiced throughout the
community, including those that may be offensive.
Any effort by members of the College community to limit openness in this academic
community is a matter of serious concern and militates against the freedom of expression and
the discovery of truth. Each member of the community is therefore free to express his/her
point of view on any issue of public interest. Each member of the community is also expected
to help guarantee the ability of other community members to freely express themselves.
Gettysburg College subscribes to the wisdom in the words of Justice Louis D. Brandeis:
"If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of
education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence."
View full policy (PDF, 212 KB).

Green light policy: Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Computer Network Use Policy 12-13

Gettysburg College encourages a free and open forum for personal expression. This includes
viewpoints that are unorthodox or unpopular.
View full policy (PDF, 137 KB).

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