Red Light School

University of Texas at Arlington

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 James D Spaniolo
University of Texas at Arlington
Office of the President
321 Davis Hall
Box 19125
Arlington, TX 76019
817-272-2101
JDS@UTA.EDU
Website: http://www.uta.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)

Red light: Equal Opportunity Services: Sexual Harassment 12-13

Verbal harassment may include, but is not limited to, the following: * Sexual innuendoes, comments and sexual remarks about clothing, body, or sexual activities * Repeated sexually oriented kidding, teasing, joking or flirting * Verbal abuse of a sexual nature * Derogatory or demeaning comments about women or men in general, whether sexual or not * Suggestive or insulting sounds * Offensive crude language ....
Sexual misconduct includes sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards another individual that does not rise to the level of sexual harassment but is unprofessional and inappropriate for the workplace or classroom.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature where: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or scholastic environment.
View full policy (PDF, 121 KB).

Yellow light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Speech, Expression and Assembly- Prohibited Expression 12-13

"Verbal harassment" means hostile or offensive speech, oral, written or symbolic that

1. personally describes or is personally directed to one or more specific individuals; and
2. is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent to create an objectively hostile environment that interferes with or diminishes the victim's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by the University; and
3. is not necessary to the expression of any idea described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
Verbal harassment may consist of threats, insults, epithets, ridicule, personal attacks or the categories of harassing sexual speech set forth by the UT Arlington Standards of Conduct Guide and is often based on the victim's appearance, personal characteristics or group membership, including but not limited to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, ideology, political views or political affiliation.
View full policy (PDF, 240 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Green light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Speech, Expression and Assembly- General Rule on Public Assemblies 12-13

"Publicly assemble" and "public assembly" include any gathering of persons, including discussions, rallies, and demonstrations. ... University persons and organizations may publicly assemble on campus in any place where, at the time of the assembly, the persons assembling are permitted to be.
View full policy (PDF, 103 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Student Conduct and Discipline- Proscribed Conduct 12-13

engaging in behavior that would be deemed by a reasonable person to be inappropriate or disruptive in nature ....
View full policy (PDF, 1104 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Speech, Expression and Assembly- Governing Principles 12-13

The freedoms of speech, expression and assembly are fundamental rights of all persons and are central to the mission of the University. Students, faculty and staff have the right to assemble, to speak, and to attempt to attract the attention of others and corresponding rights to hear the speech of others when they choose to listen, and to ignore the speech of others when they choose not to listen.
View full policy (PDF, 195 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in May 2013. 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.