Pennsylvania State University - University Park

Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Third Circuit
Head of Institution: President Graham B Spanier
Pennsylvania State University - University Park
President's Office
201 Old Main
University Park, PA 16802
814-865-7611
president@psu.edu
Website: http://www.psu.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)

Code of Conduct 10-11

General harassment, stalking of any person is a violation of University policy. A person violates this section when, with intent to harass or alarm another, the person (a) subjects the other person or group of persons to unwanted physical contact or the threat of such contact; or (b) engages in a course of conduct, including following the person without proper authority, under circumstances which demonstrate intent to place the other person in reasonable fear of bodily injury or to cause the other person substantial emotional distress....
View full policy (PDF, 143 KB).

Policy on Sexual Harassment 10-11

For purposes of this policy, 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 so as to substantially interfere with the individual’s employment, education or access to University programs, activities and opportunities. To constitute prohibited harassment, the conduct must be such that it detrimentally affects the individual in question and would also detrimentally affect a reasonable person under the same circumstances.
View full policy (PDF, 91 KB).

Sanctioning Guidelines for Community Standards 10-11

Minor: Verbal Warning to Letter of Concern
Moderate: Contract Review to Extended Contract Review, Residence Hall Reassignment
Major: Residence Hall Reassignment, Interim Contract Termination, Contract Termination
Harassment of a sexual nature: Minor - single acts; obscene, a sexual nature but which individual
ceases upon a request or directive. Examples include writing on
the walls, in the elevator, on bulletin boards, etc.
View full policy (PDF, 1080 KB).

Code of Conduct 10-11

Harassment creating a hostile environment is a violation of University policy. Such harassment is a form of discrimination consisting of physical or verbal conduct that (a) is directed at an individual because of the individual's age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status; and (b) is sufficiently severe or pervasive so as to substantially interfere with the individual's employment, education or access to University programs, activities and opportunities.
To constitute harassment creating a hostile environment, the conduct must be such that it detrimentally affects the individual in question and would also detrimentally affect a reasonable person under the same circumstances. This harassment may include, but is not limited to, verbal or physical attacks, threats, slurs, or derogatory comments or threats of such conduct, that meet the definition set forth above. Whether the alleged conduct constitutes prohibited harassment depends on the totality of the particular circumstances, including the nature, frequency and duration of the conduct in question, the location and context in which it occurs and the status of the individuals involved.
View full policy (PDF, 143 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Use of Outdoor Areas for Expressive Activities 10-11

Registered student organizations or a group of ten or more University students, faculty or
staff, may reserve any one of the identified locations for the use of the group subject to the
following:
(a) A location may be reserved only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
(b) A group may reserve only one location for each day.
(c) The same group may not reserve the same location for more than one day in each
calendar week.
(d) Reservations must be requested at least 48 hours in advance of the proposed
activity, or by the Friday preceding a Sunday or Monday.
(e) Reservations will be accepted in the order of request, unless consideration of
format, size and equitable distribution of locations requires allocation of location.
[T]he University expects that persons engaging in expressive activity will demonstrate civility, concern for the safety of persons and property, respect for University activities and for those who may disagree with their message, and will comply with University rules.
The following areas of the University Park Campus have been designated as areas suitable
for expressive activity:
* Old Main Front Patio
* Willard Building Patio area between Willard and Obelisk
* Palmer Art Museum Plaza
* Northwest Corner of Shortledge Road and College Avenue
* Fisher Plaza
* IST Plaza
* Pattee Library Mall Entrance Plaza
* HUB-Robeson - Rear sidewalk pad (not the Patio)
* HUB-Robeson - Lawn
* Osmond Fountain Area (after 5 pm)
* Area under the Willaman Gateway to the Life Sciences
View full policy (PDF, 119 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Use of Outdoor Areas for Expressive Activities 10-11

A university is inherently a marketplace of ideas, and Penn State encourages and protects the rights of members of the University community to express divergent viewpoints and opinions on matters of concern.
View full policy (PDF, 119 KB).

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