Lehigh University
A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.
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)
Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines - Policy on Harassment 12-13
A Hostile Work, Learning, Co-curricular, Social or Living Environment occurs when a member of the Lehigh University community or a guest is subjected to unwelcome statements, jokes, gestures, pictures, touching, or other conducts that offend, demean, harass, or intimidate. Harassment includes offensive verbal or physical conduct that has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's work or educational performance, or has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. The violating conduct may involve a very serious and offensive event, or may involve persistent harassing behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 1415 KB).
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines- Political Activity and Dissent 12-13
Acts of social and political protest should not violate standards of civility important to the achievement of the university's educational purposes.
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Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines- Social Policy 12-13
Party themes and behavior should not be sexually, racially, religiously or otherwise offensive, and should not promote the irresponsible use of alcohol.
Reference to drinking or to alcoholic beverages may not be made in any advertising or promotion of social events. Prohibited are words, pictures, or drawings that denote or connote alcoholic beverages or the drinking of alcoholic beverages, or both. Party themes (alcohol and non-alcohol) and behavior should not be sexually, racially, religiously or otherwise offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 678 KB).
Office of the Vice Provost: Building a Community of Respect 12-13
An act of hostility or harassment is any conduct or act that targets a person or group based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, disability or veteran status and may include bias motivated incidents, hate crimes, harassment, or discrimination.
Acts of hostility or harassment based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, disability or veteran status are not acceptable and are inconsistent with the fundamental values of the university. Such actions will not be tolerated and will be addressed swiftly.
View full policy (PDF, 147 KB).
Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines- Guidelines for Cultural and Social Events 12-13
Cultural and social choices reflect for good or ill on the entire Lehigh community. Hence, members of the Lehigh community must not knowingly offend by their choices significant sectors of the University.
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Student Handbook: University Conduct System- Expectations of Conduct 12-13
Lehigh University expects that all students will act in a civil manner that reflects maturity, social responsibility, and respect towards others and the Lehigh Community.
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Internet Usage Policies
Library and Technology Services: Policies on the Use of Computer Systems and Facilities 12-13
Examples of prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, the following: ... Placing the following types of information or software on any Computer System or Facility or on any system connected directly to the Computer Systems and Facilities ... That which is abusive, profane, or sexually offensive to the average person.
Harassment may include but is not necessarily limited to sending annoying, threatening, libelous, or sexually, racially, or religiously offensive messages through electronic means.
View full policy (PDF, 69 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines- Political Activity and Dissent 12-13
Free inquiry and free expression, including the right to open dissent, are indispensable in achieving the goals of an academic community.
Forms of peaceful protest, for example, picketing outside university buildings, would normally be considered as orderly demonstrations so long as free passage were maintained through areas where members of the university community have a right to be. Generally, demonstrations in a public area of a university building would be considered orderly as long as there was free passage and non-excessive noise. A demonstration which interferes with the right of the primary audience to hear and be heard would be considered neither orderly nor peaceful. Freedom of protest is protected only as long as it does not unreasonably interfere with other protected freedoms.
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Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines - Policy on Harassment 12-13
Lehigh University upholds the principles of academic freedom and free speech.
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Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines- Guidelines for Cultural and Social Events 12-13
Cultural events sponsored by Lehigh University should reflect the broad purposes and objectives of the University in its search for truth, in its effort to enlighten minds and to prepare students for life in American society.
In this task Lehigh recognizes that free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to its attainment of these goals. Students must develop their capacity for critical judgment and individual choice. This is why the University does not and should not seek to impose a common morality on all students.
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Student Handbook: University Policy and Guidelines- Guest Speakers 12-13
The University affirms open inquiry and free discussion as necessary provisions for students' freedom to learn.
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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.
