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 |
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| Website: | http://www.gettysburg.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)
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Harassment and Sexually Inappropriate Behaviors 10-11
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.
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Proscribed Conduct 10-11
endangers the health or safety of any person.
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Harassment Policy 10-11
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.
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities 10-11
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.
Residence Life Guidebook: Community Living - Respecting Others 10-11
Internet Usage Policies
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Computer Network Use Policy 10-11
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.
Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Bias Related Conduct 10-11
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.
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.
It should be noted that while the expression of an idea or point of view may be offensive or inflammatory to some, it
is not necessarily a violation of law or College policy. Gettysburg College values and embraces the ideals of
freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, and freedom of expression, all of which must be vitally sustained in a
community of scholars. The College recognizes that these freedoms protect controversial ideas, differing views and
sometimes even offensive and hurtful words that are not consistent with the College’s mission. However, freedom
of inquiry, thought, and expression do not protect personal threats or acts of misconduct that violate criminal law or
College policy.
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities 10-11
"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."
academic community. It is therefore expected that diverse views will be voiced throughout the
community, including those that may be offensive.
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.
Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Computer Network Use Policy 10-11
viewpoints that are unorthodox or unpopular.
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 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.
