Red Light School

Texas Woman's 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: Fifth Circuit
Head of Institution: Chancellor Ann Stuart
Texas Woman's University
P.O. Box 425589
Denton, TX 76204
940-898-2000
astuart@mail.twu.edu
Website: http://www.twu.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)

Green light: Student Handbook: Sexual Harassment 11-12

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests
for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
constitute sexual harassment when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially or unreasonably interfering with an individual’s professional or academic
performance or creating an intimidating,
hostile or offensive employment, education,
or student living environment.
View full policy (PDF, 87 KB).

Red light: TWU Counseling Center: Sexual Harassment Includes Many Things 11-12

Sexual harassment includes many things: ... * Unwanted letters, telephone calls, or materials of a sexual nature
* Unwanted pressure for dates
* Unwanted sexual teasing, jokes, remarks, or questions
* Referring to an adult as a girl, hunk, doll, babe, or honey
* Whistling at someone
* Cat calls
* Sexual comments
* Turning work discussions to sexual topics
* Sexual innuendoes or stories
* Asking about sexual fantasies, preferences, or history
* Personal questions about social or sexual life
* Sexual comments about a person's clothing, anatomy, or looks
* Kissing sounds, howling, and smacking lips
* Telling lies or spreading rumors about a person's personal sex life
View full policy (PDF, 123 KB).

Red light: TWU Counseling Center: Sexual Harassment- The Facts 11-12

Gender Harassment: Generalized sexist statements and behavior that convey insulting or
degrading attitudes about women. Examples include insulting remarks, offensive graffiti,
obscene jokes or humor about sex or women in general.
View full policy (PDF, 266 KB).

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

Violations of the Code of Conduct fall into the following categories:
...
Verbal, physical, or psychological abuse, including detention or threat of bodily harm to self or another person or persons in the university community. ...
Intimidation or harassment of TWU students or employees.
View full policy (PDF, 329 KB).

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

Yellow light: Residence Life Handbook: Resident's Rights and Responsibilities 11-12

Primary rights of the hall resident include: ... the right to be free from fear, intimidation, physical and/or emotional harm. ... Any violation of these rights is subject to review and action by the Residence Life Conduct Review Board or
Area Manager, Residence Director, Hall Director, or both; the violation may be referred to the University
Student Conduct Board for further action.
View full policy (PDF, 47 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Statement of Community Respect 11-12

The pursuit of community respect requires tolerance of intellectual positions and the expression of ideas that are different from, and contrary to, one's own beliefs and values. The TWU community expects that the expression of these ideas will be exercised in ways that are consistent with norms of civility toward all people and that demonstrate respect for the cultural traditions of the diverse racial, religious, ethnic and national groups that comprise the University community.
View full policy (PDF, 160 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Free Speech Areas 11-12

Designated free speech areas are
available to TWU students, faculty, staff
and members of the community. The
designated areas may be used for, but are
not limited to, the expression of personal
politics, philosophy, religious viewpoints, surveys, or announcements. ... Other areas on all campuses may also be utilized by departments or organizations for similar activities; however, reservations are required.
View full policy (PDF, 167 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Distribution of Printed Material 11-12

All persons and organizations, both
those officially and those not officially
connected with the university, may come
upon university property for effecting the
distribution of announcements, notices,
pictures, advertisements, or publications
only after giving notice to the Center
for Student Development of the time,
place, and manner of such distribution
and by filing a copy of the material to be
distributed with the Center for Student
Development at least one day prior to the time of distribution.
View full policy (PDF, 202 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Student Rights and Responsibilities 11-12

Texas Woman's University is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, freedom of expression and freedom of the individual are sustained. TWU is committed to preserving the exercise of any right guaranteed to individuals by the constitution. However, the exercise and preservation of these freedoms and rights require a respect for the rights of all people in the community to enjoy them to the same extent.
View full policy (PDF, 160 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.