Red Light School

University of Texas at Austin

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 William Powers, Jr.
University of Texas at Austin
Office of the President
Main Building 400 (G3400)
Austin, TX 78713
512-471-1232
president@po.utexas.edu
Website: http://www.utexas.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)

Red light: Office of the Dean of Students: Student's Guide to Sexual Harassment and Misconduct 12-13

Sexual misconduct is a concept taken from the Regents' Rules ethics statement. Sexual misconduct is conduct of a sexual nature that, although not so serious or pervasive that it rises to the level of sex discrimination or sexual harassment, is unprofessional and/or inappropriate for the educational and working environment. The purpose of prohibiting sexual misconduct is to discourage and, if necessary, take disciplinary action for inappropriate or unprofessional activity of a sexual nature in the workplace or classroom, even if that conduct appears to be welcomed and consensual or is not so serious or pervasive that it meets the definition of sex discrimination or sexual harassment.

Examples of behavior that could constitute sexual misconduct include, but are not limited to:

* Repeatedly engaging in sexually oriented conversations, comments or horseplay, including the use of language or the telling of jokes or anecdotes of a sexual nature in the workplace, office or classroom, even if such conduct is not objected to by those present;
* Gratuitous use of sexually oriented materials not directly related to the subject matter of a class, course, or meeting even if not objected to by those present ....
View full policy (PDF, 472 KB).

Yellow light: Revised Handbook of Operating Procedures: Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment 12-13

Sex Discrimination, including sexual harassment, is defined as conduct directed at a specific individual or a group of identifiable individuals that subjects the individual or group to treatment that adversely affects their employment or education on account of sex.
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that can occur when ... unwelcome physical acts of a sexual nature, or unwelcome requests for sexual favors or other verbal conduct of a sexual nature, have the effect of creating an objectively hostile environment that interferes with employment or education on account of sex.
Constitutionally protected expression cannot be considered harassment under this policy.
Verbal conduct that, depending on the totality of circumstances present, may constitute sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to,

* explicit or implicit propositions to engage in sexual activity;
* gratuitous comments, jokes, questions, anecdotes, or remarks of a sexual nature about clothing or bodies;
* gratuitous remarks about sexual activities or speculation about sexual experiences;
* persistent, unwanted sexual or romantic attention;
* subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors;
* exposure to sexually suggestive visual displays such as photographs, graffiti, posters, calendars, or other materials;
* deliberate, repeated humiliation or intimidation based upon sex.
View full policy (PDF, 398 KB).

Yellow light: Residence Hall Manual: Harassment 12-13

Members of an educational community should adhere to standards of civility and good taste that reflect
mutual respect. A respectful environment is free of harassment, violence and verbal abuse. It is the
policy of the University to maintain an educational environment free from harassment and intimidation.
In an effort to foster an environment free from harassment and intimidation, Residence Life is
committed to responding appropriately to acts of racism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, ableism and
any other force that seeks to suppress another individual or group of individuals. When acts of
harassment or intimidation occur in the residence hall environment, the Residence Life staff, in
conjunction with the Residence Hall Council, may lead a floor or hall meeting to discuss the incident and
decide, as a community, appropriate steps that need to be taken to address the incident.
Residents who are suspected to have engaged in harassment as defined in the Institutional Rules will be
referred to the Dean of Students for possible disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 56 KB).

Green light: Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities: Student Discipline and Conduct 12-13

Harassment is defined as conduct that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent to create an objectively hostile environment that interferes with or diminishes the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the University.
View full policy (PDF, 575 KB).

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

Yellow light: Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities: Student Discipline and Conduct 12-13

Notwithstanding any action taken by civil authorities or agencies charged with the enforcement of criminal laws on account of the violation, the dean may initiate disciplinary proceedings under subchapter 11-300 against a student who ... otherwise engages in the following acts of inappropriate conduct that hold the
potential to interfere or disrupt the teaching function of the University: pranks,
repeated contact of a harassing nature through a personal or electronic medium,
and berating or otherwise abusive behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 575 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Office of the Chief Information Officer: Acceptable Use Policy 12-13

V. REQUIREMENTS: ... Be civil. Do not send rude or harassing correspondence. ... What are the consequences for violating the rules listed in Section V of this document?

Punishment for infractions includes, but is not limited to: * Verbal warnings * Revocation of access privileges * Disciplinary probation * Suspension from the university * Criminal prosecution
View full policy (PDF, 1553 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Common Student Organization Event Policies: Public Assemblies 12-13

The freedoms of speech, expression, and assembly are fundamental rights of all persons and are central to the mission of the university.
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, without advance permission, as long as there is no disruption to other University activities.
View full policy (PDF, 264 KB).

Green light policy: Residence Hall Manual: Posters 12-13

[T]he University encourages all members of its community to support the freedom of speech. Students are free to communicate their ideas vigorously; those who are exposed to such ideas, whether in the classroom, the grounds of the campus, or in the residence halls, should tolerate the expression even of views that they find offensive or unacceptable. Students who passionately disagree about important matters should be able to confront one another civilly and to recognize that, despite profound differences, they are engaged in the common pursuit of truth. The best response to offensive speech is more free speech.
View full policy (PDF, 75 KB).

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