Green Light School

University of Virginia

Green light institutions are those colleges and universities whose policies nominally protect free speech. Read more here.

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Fourth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Teresa A Sullivan
University of Virginia
Office of the President
P.O. Box 400224
Charlottesville, VA 22904
434-924-3337
tas6n@virginia.edu
Website: http://www.virginia.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)

Green light: Policy: Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment 12-13

Protected Characteristics/Statuses: Age, color, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status.
Harassment: Unwelcome conduct directed against a person based on one or more of that person's protected characteristics or statuses, which conduct is so severe or pervasive that it interferes with an individual's employment, academic performance or participation in University programs or activities, and creates a working, learning, program or activity environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 211 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: Responsible Computing Handbook for Students: Threats to Your On-Line Safety and Security 12-13

The Internet community is under regular attack - at varying levels of
seriousness - from "outlaws." Such outlaws (both within our community and outside
it):
...
*post messages that threaten other people
...
Students who do these things at the University of Virginia may lose computing
privileges and be subject to suspension or expulsion from the University. They might
even be subject to prosecution under state and federal laws.
View full policy (PDF, 931 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Green light: Bias Reporting Web Site 12-13

Some bias-motivated or otherwise disrespectful acts may be constitutionally protected speech and thus not subject to University disciplinary action or formal investigation. Indeed, as our founder Thomas Jefferson once wrote, "For here we are not afraid . . . to tolerate error so long as reason is free to combat it." However, we should do all that we can to foster a good dialogue on what is appropriate in our community of peers.
The University has adopted the following definition of "bias complaint":

"A bias complaint is a report of a threat or act of harassment or intimidation -- verbal, written or physical -- which is personally directed against or targets a University of Virginia student because of that student's race, age, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or veteran status."

This definition is used for reporting and statistical purposes only. It carries no independent sanctioning weight or authority.

The University encourages prompt reporting of bias complaints so that it can evaluate the alleged facts for possible violation(s) of University policy, including the Standards of Conduct, and refer such complaints to law enforcement when an independent investigation for violation(s) of criminal law may be warranted.
View full policy (PDF, 286 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Vice President for Student Affairs: Student Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

The University of Virginia is a community of scholars in which the ideals of freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and freedom of the individual are sustained. The University is committed to supporting the exercise of any right guaranteed to individuals by the Constitution and the Code of Virginia and to educating students relative to their responsibilities.
View full policy (PDF, 338 KB).

Green light policy: Bias Reporting Web Site: What is Bias 12-13

The University values and embraces the ideals of freedom of inquiry, freedom of thought, and freedom of expression, all of which must be vitally sustained in a community of scholars.
View full policy (PDF, 90 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.