University of North Texas

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: President V. Lane Rawlins
University of North Texas
P.O. Box 311425
Denton, TX 76203
940-565-2026
president@unt.edu
Website: http://www.unt.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)

Housing ABCs: Harassment 10-11

Students may not engage in telephone harassment (includes annoying, abusive, or obscene phone calls designed to irritate, anger, or threaten a listener) or computer harassment (includes abusive, sexual or threatening emails, instant messages, postings on social networking sites, blogging, or documents sent to another individual designed to irritate, anger, or threaten the receiver).
View full policy (PDF, 32 KB).

Code of Student Conduct: Acts Affecting Health, Safety or Welfare 10-11

Engaging in physical, and/or verbal abuse, domestic violence, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, physical or electronic stalking or any other conduct which threatens of endangers the health, safety or welfare of any person. Speech protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is not a violation of this provision, though fighting words and statements which reasonably threaten or endanger the health and safety of any person are not protected speech.
View full policy (PDF, 534 KB).

Policy Manual: Sexual Harassment 10-11

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature (regardless of gender), even if carried out under the guise of humor, constitute a violation of this policy when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's academic or professional performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment, or educational environment.
Sexual harassment takes many forms; examples of conduct which might be considered sexual harassment under this policy include but are not limited to:
...
- repeated and unwanted requests for dates, sexual flirtations, or propositions of a sexual nature,
- subtle pressure for a sexual relationship,
- sexist remarks about a person's clothing, body or sexual activities ...
- conduct of a sexual nature that causes humiliation or discomfort, such as use of inappropriate terms of address, and
- sexually explicit or sexist comments, questions or jokes
- conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile work or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 112 KB).

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

Housing ABCs: Verbal Abuse 10-11

Inappropriate response to Housing staff members by being argumentative, shouting, making rude, vulgar, indecent, or obscene comments and/or gestures is considered verbal abuse, or "staff abuse."
View full policy (PDF, 32 KB).

Posting Policies

Housing ABCs: Decorations 10-11

All decorations are subject to the approval of roommates, and students may be asked
to take items down if they are offensive, create a hostile living environment, or are deemed
inappropriate by hall staff.
View full policy (PDF, 28 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Policy Manual: Free Speech and Public Assembly on Campus Grounds 10-11

The University of North Texas recognizes that freedom of expression and public assembly are fundamental rights of all persons and are essential components of the education process.
Campus grounds generally are open to students, employees and sponsoring organizations
for expressive activity. However, these individuals and organizations are encouraged to
reserve areas on campus that are designated for expressive activity when the activity is
promoted in advance or when the activity may reasonably be anticipated to draw a crowd
of 25 or more people.
View full policy (PDF, 4533 KB).

Code of Conduct: Protection of Constitutional Freedoms 10-11

Students and all other members of the University community are
guaranteed the constitutional freedoms of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association.
View full policy (PDF, 632 KB).

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