Red Light School

University of Texas at El Paso

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 Diana S Natalicio
University of Texas at El Paso
500 West University Avenue
El Paso, TX 79968
915-747-5555
dnatalicio@utep.edu
Website: http://www.utep.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: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct- Sexual Misconduct 12-13

Sexual misconduct includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards another individual and is unprofessional and inappropriate for the workplace or classroom.
View full policy (PDF, 523 KB).

Yellow light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct- Examples 12-13

Examples of behavior that could be considered sexual misconduct or sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

a. physical contact of a sexual nature, including touching, patting, hugging, or brushing against a person's body;

b. explicit or implicit propositions of offers to engage in sexual activity;

c. comments of a sexual nature, including sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes, or anecdotes;

d. remarks of a sexual nature about a person's clothing or body;

e. remarks about sexual activity;

f. speculation about sexual experience; exposure to sexually-oriented graffiti, pictures, posters, or materials ....
View full policy (PDF, 523 KB).

Green light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct- Definitions 12-13

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance as an administrator, faculty member, staff, or student, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
View full policy (PDF, 523 KB).

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

Verbal harassment may consist of threats, insults, epithets, ridicule, personal attacks, or the categories of harassing sexual speech set forth in Section V: Human Resources and Equal Opportunity of this Handbook 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.
No person shall make, distribute, or display on the campus any statement that constitutes verbal harassment of any other person. This section applies to all speech on the campus, including speech that is part of teaching, research, or other official functions of the University. "Verbal harassment" means hostile or offensive speech, oral, written, or symbolic, that:

a. personally describes or is personally directed to one or more specific individuals; and

b. 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

c. is not necessary to the expression of any idea described in paragraph 2.2.4.1.1 below.

2.2.4.1.1 To make an argument for or against the substance of any political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic idea is not verbal harassment, even if some listeners are offended by the argument or idea. The categories of sexually harassing speech set forth in Section V: Human Resources and Equal Opportunity of this Handbook are rarely, if ever, necessary to argue for or against the substance of any political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic idea.
View full policy (PDF, 1543 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Acceptable Use Policy 12-13

The following activities are, in general, prohibited: ... Sending unsolicited e-mail messages ....
View full policy (PDF, 422 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: 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, 1543 KB).

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, 1543 KB).

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