Light School

Baylor University

When a private university states clearly that it holds a certain set of values above a commitment to freedom of speech, FIRE does not rate that university.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Fifth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Ken Starr
Baylor University
Office of the President
P.O. Box 97096
Waco, TX 76798
254-710-3555
Website: http://www.baylor.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)

light: Civil Rights Policy 12-13

Behavior that violates the student disciplinary policy or the personnel policy may be a basis for discipline, whether or not the behavior violates someone's civil rights. For example, one statement regarding another's sexual activity may not be sexual harassment as defined in civil rights laws, but such a statement may nonetheless be inappropriate and form the basis of discipline.
View full policy (PDF, 429 KB).

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

light: Guide to Community Living: Residential Policies & Procedures- Obscene Material 12-13

Obscene material, including but not limited to, pornographic literature, X-rated movies, posters depicting full or partial nudity, displays of profanity (verbal or written), and language or images that are offensive to others are prohibited from all on-campus residential communities. This standard also applies to obscene material on computers.
View full policy (PDF, 49 KB).

light: Student Policies and Procedures: Student Disciplinary Procedure- Misconduct Defined 12-13

The following examples of misconduct are not inclusive but are intended to give a student an idea of the types of behavior that may result in disciplinary action.
...
Expression that is inappropriate in the setting of Baylor University and in opposition to the Christian ideals which it strives to uphold.
...
Contemptuous or disrespectful behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 152 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

light: Technology Systems Usage Policy 12-13

Baylor University contracts with a professional Web-filtering service to block sites that this vendor
designates as adult content (e.g., obscenity, pornography).
Fraudulent, harassing, offensive, or obscene messages or materials are not to be sent, printed, requested, displayed, or stored on Baylor-owned or operated technology systems. Information that invades an individual's privacy or is disparaging of an individual or business must not be published without the express consent of the person or business entity.
View full policy (PDF, 124 KB).

Other Speech Codes

light: Student Policies and Procedures: Campus Speakers 12-13

Speakers whose purposes and methods are basically contrary to the purposes and methods of a Christian university such as Baylor should not be invited. The use of profanity shall not be tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 128 KB).

light: Student Policies and Procedures: Statement on Human Sexuality 12-13

It is thus expected that Baylor students will not participate in advocacy groups which promote understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching.
View full policy (PDF, 127 KB).

light: Student Policies and Procedures: Campus Facilities Use and Campus Solicitation Policy 12-13

Baylor University is a private university controlled by an all-Baptist board of regents operated within the Christian-oriented aims and ideals of Baptists, and affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, a cooperative association of autonomous Texas Baptist churches. Accordingly, the campus is private property; and no party may enter or remain upon it without the consent of the University. Furthermore, no party may conduct or participate in an activity, including any facilities use or campus solicitation, that would embarrass or bring discredit to the Convention or to Baylor in the view of their constituencies.
View full policy (PDF, 207 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.