Red Light School

Christopher Newport 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: Fourth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Paul S Trible, Jr.
Christopher Newport University
1 University Place
4th Floor, Administration Building
Newport News, VA 23606
757-594-7571
ptrible@cnu.edu
Website: http://www.cnu.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: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Abusive Conduct 12-13

Any actions against one's self or others that causes physical injury or that demeans,
intimidates, harasses, threatens or otherwise interferes with another person's rightful actions.
View full policy (PDF, 101 KB).

Yellow light: Discrimination & Harassment 12-13

Harassment is defined by Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary as "to annoy or bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way; to make repeated attacks."

Any CNU student / employee who believes that he / she has been unlawfully discriminated against or harassed may file a complaint with Michelle Moody, the Director of Equal Opportunity.
View full policy (PDF, 829 KB).

Green light: Discrimination & Harassment: Sexual Harassment 12-13

The Board of Visitors defines sexual harassment as being any unwelcome sexual advance, unwelcome request for sexual favors, or other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that meets one or more of the following three conditions: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially and unreasonably interfering with any individual's performance or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or learning environment for any individual.
View full policy (PDF, 831 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Obscene Conduct 12-13

Any conduct or expression that is lewd or indecent that is not constitutionally protected
speech.
View full policy (PDF, 101 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression 12-13

Individuals and organizations wishing to exercise their freedom of speech or "the right of the
People peaceably to assemble," must register with the Dean of Students at least 24 hours in
advance. Standard space reservation procedures must be followed. If notice is given less than 24
hours in advance, the university will make every effort to grant such a request provided that safety
and security issues and logistical concerns can be appropriately addressed.
The location of the assembly will be determined by University Officials in consultation with the
organizers and will be based on safety and security concerns.
View full policy (PDF, 123 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Advertising & Posting 12-13

ALL postings are to avoid degrading, disrespectful remarks or advertisements.
View full policy (PDF, 144 KB).

Yellow light: Residence Life Handbook: Posting 12-13

Posting of profanity or obscenities is not permitted in public areas. This
includes, but is not limited to, room doors facing public areas, windows
and common areas. Posting determined to be reasonably offensive to others
must be removed from publicly viewable areas when asked by members
of the residential community or staff.
View full policy (PDF, 85 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Policies Regarding the Use of the University’s Computing and Communications Systems 12-13

Acceptable use must demonstrate respect for: ... individuals' rights to be free of intimidation, harassment and unwarranted annoyance.
In making acceptable use of resources you must NOT: ... Use University systems for commercial or for partisan political purposes. ... Use mail or messaging services to harass or to intimidate another person, for example, by
broadcasting unsolicited messages, by sending unwanted mail, or by using someone else's
name or User ID.
View full policy (PDF, 197 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression 12-13

Universities occupy a unique place in our society. They are institutions of higher learning dedicated to
the discovery and dissemination of knowledge and, in that capacity, they assign a high priority to the
freedom of speech. ... As an instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Christopher Newport University is committed
to its constitutional obligations to respect rights of expression.
View full policy (PDF, 123 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

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