Red Light School

University of Richmond

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Fourth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Edward L Ayers
University of Richmond
28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA
University of Richmond, VA 23173
800-700-1662
eayers@richmond.edu
Website: http://www.richmond.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)

Yellow light: Harassment and Discrimination Policy 12-13

Sexual harassment, in particular, may consist of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one or more of the
following occur: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's work or academic
performance or creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive work or educational environment.
The University prohibits discrimination and harassment against applicants, students, faculty or staff on
the basis of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, status as a
veteran or any classification protected by local, state or federal law. ... Illegal and
improper harassment based on any of the classifications in paragraph 1, may include:
... Making unwelcome or offensive comments about a person's clothing, body or personal life; Offensive jokes or unwelcome innuendoes; Other conduct that creates a work or educational environment that may be considered
offensive or hostile, even though some staff or students might not find them objectionable; Use of unwelcome or offensive nicknames or terms of endearment.
Harassment is the creation of a hostile or intimidating environment, in which verbal or physical
conduct, because of its severity and/or persistence, is likely to interfere significantly with an individual's
work or education, or affect adversely an individual's living conditions on campus.
View full policy (PDF, 165 KB).

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

Red light: Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct- Disruption 12-13

Disruption: ... Disorderly conduct, obscene conduct, inappropriate behavior or expression ....
View full policy (PDF, 346 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: Bias Incident Protocol 12-13

Bias Incident: defined as acts that do not appear to constitute a crime or actionable discrimination, but which may intimidate, mock, degrade, or threaten, individuals or groups and which one could reasonably conclude targets a member or group within the University community because of that individual or group’s actual or perceived age, ancestry or ethnicity, color, creed, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, immigration or citizenship status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, religious practice, or sexual orientation.
Students, faculty, and staff who are the subject of or who witness a Bias Incident may report such incident to the Director of Common Ground who shall assist the individual making the report in identifying appropriate University resources for support and guidance and shall notify the members of the Bias Response Team of such report.
View full policy (PDF, 365 KB).

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