Red Light School

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

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: Third Circuit
Head of Institution: President Greg R Weisenstein
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Philips Memorial Building 105
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-2471
Website: http://www.wcupa.edu

« Return to School Overview

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)

Green light: Ram's Eye View Student Handbook: Sexual Harassment 12-13

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct
of a sexual nature occurring when: ... 3. The unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive as to substantially limit or interfere with an individual’s work, educational performance, participation in extra-curricular activities, or equal access to the University’s resources and opportunities; or

4. Such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive living, working, or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 217 KB).

Green light: Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Disruptive Conduct, Harassment and Intimidation - (a) engaging in conduct that is disorderly, unnecessarily disturbs others, and/or is disruptive to the normal practices, processes, and functions of the University or local municipalities, (b) engaging in conduct that is harassing, intimidating or threatening, or (c) engaging in conduct that constitutes unlawful discrimination based on another person's race, color, sex, religion, age or national origin. This includes conduct through electronic means.
View full policy (PDF, 1830 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Green light: Ram's Eye View Student Handbook: Noncommercial Literature Distribution/Nonsponsored Presentations or Demonstrations 12-13

On University property (outside of buildings) generally open to the public, persons may exercise their constitutionally protected rights the free expression including distribution of noncommercial literature incidental to the exercise of these rights and nonsponsored presentations or demonstrations ... Noncommercial literature distribution and nonsponsored presentations or demonstrations may be held anywhere on university property (outside of buildings) generally open to the public so long as they do not disrupt the normal operation of the University or infringe on the rights of other members of the University community.
View full policy (PDF, 198 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Guide to Residential Living: Residence Hall Advertising Policy 12-13

All fliers or posters to be hung in residential buildings (halls or apartments) must be approved and stamped in the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services, 202 Lawrence Center and should be presented for approval 48 hours before the advertising campaign begins (not 48 hours before the event begins).
Posters will not be posted if they promote or display drugs or
alcohol (beer, wine, mixed drinks and alcohol-related
paraphernalia), are sexist or discriminatory, or violate the
University's Student Code of Conduct.
View full policy (PDF, 235 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Ram's Eye View Student Handbook: Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources and Systems 12-13

The following rules must be observed: Never send or forward unsolicited e-mail, including chain mail ... Never send harassing, annoying, threatening, defamatory, offensive, or fraudulent messages or images to
others.
View full policy (PDF, 419 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: Campus Climate Intervention Team 12-13

What happens if someone is found guilty of committing an act of intolerance?
Alleged perpetrators involved in the act of intolerance or intimidation may be adjudicated according to the University's Student Code of Conduct and may be subject to disciplinary action, if found guilty of violating the Code of Conduct, ranging from a disciplinary reprimand to suspension and expulsion from the University.
Acts of intolerance are behaviors that are threatening, intimidating, or offensive and are motivated by bias toward a person or group of people based on their gender, race, color, religion, national origin, and/or sexual orientation.
After an initial telephone call to the Department of Public Safety, officers are dispatched to the scene to gather evidence and begin an investigation. A special police investigator in the Department of Public Safety, who investigates threats and acts of intolerance even in the absence of a crime, will follow up with victims to ensure they understand the services available to them and to update them on the investigation when appropriate.
View full policy (PDF, 329 KB).

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 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.