Red Light School

Tennessee State University

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: Sixth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Portia H Shields
Tennessee State University
3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard
Office of the President
Nashville, TN 37209
615-963-7401
President@tnstate.edu
Website: http://www.tnstate.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)

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Disciplinary Offenses 11-12

Physical and/or verbal abuse
Use of computing resources and facilities to send abusive or obscene correspondence
View full policy (PDF, 247 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Disciplinary Offenses 11-12

Sexual harassment is
unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. It includes unwelcome sexual
advances; requests for sexual favors and other verbal, nonverbal or
physical conduct of a sexual nature.
View full policy (PDF, 247 KB).

Yellow light: Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Office: Harassment Tips 11-12

Some men and women are confused as to what behaviors constitute sexual harassment. The following questions may be especially helpful in assessing one’s own behavior: ... Do I tell jokes or make "funny" remarks involving the opposite sex and/or sexuality? (Such jokes may offend many people.) If the answer to any of these questions is yes, the chances of the behavior being considered sexual harassment are very high. Because such behavior is likely to be high risk, if you have to ask, it is probably better not to do it.
View full policy (PDF, 368 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Sexual and Racial Harassment Policy 11-12

Generally, sexual harassment may be defined as unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal
or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one of the
following criteria is met: ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of
unreasonably interfering with an individual's work
performance or educational experience or creating
an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or
educational environment.
Some examples of behavior that may constitute sexual harassment are: ... suggestive or inappropriate communications, e-mail, notes, letters, or other written materials displaying objects or pictures which are sexual in nature that would create hostile or offensive work or living environments; sexual innuendoes, comments, and remarks about a person's clothing, body or activities; suggestive or insulting sounds; whistling in a suggestive manner; humor and jokes about sex that denigrate men or women
View full policy (PDF, 178 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Sexual and Racial Harassment Policy 11-12

Generally, racial harassment is defined as any person's conduct that unreasonably interferes with an employee's or student's status or performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment. Harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin includes offensive or demeaning treatment of an individual, where such treatment is based typically on prejudiced stereotypes of a group to which that individual may belong. It includes, but is not limited to, objectionable epithets, threatened or actual physical harm or abuse, or other intimidating or insulting conduct directed against the individual because of his/her race, color, or national origin. Title VII requires employers to take prompt action to prevent bigots from expressing their opinions in a way that abuses or offends their co-workers.
View full policy (PDF, 178 KB).

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

Yellow light: Campus Living Guide: Community Living Bill of Rights 11-12

The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical and emotional harm.
View full policy (PDF, 219 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Freedom of Assembly 11-12

Tennessee State University assumes the position that dissent, when carried out in the prescribed form (being registered in advance with the associate vice president for student affairs in order to ensure that the event is held at an acceptable time and appropriate site), will be protected.
View full policy (PDF, 97 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students 11-12

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well being attainment of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals.
View full policy (PDF, 44 KB).

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