Red Light School

Washington State 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: Ninth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Elson S Floyd
Washington State University
French Administration 422
Pullman, WA 99164
509-335-6666
PresidentsOffice@wsu.edu
Website: http://www.wsu.edu

« Return to School Overview

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 Prohibiting Discrimination and Sexual Harassment 12-13

Under this policy, discriminatory harassment is identified as conduct toward a particular individual, individuals, or groups on the basis of a protected status that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of: ... Unreasonably interfering with the work, academic performance, living environment, personal security, or participation in any University-sponsored activity of individuals or groups.
View full policy (PDF, 252 KB).

Green light: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Sexual Harassment 12-13

Examples of behaviors that may rise to the level of sexual harassment and, therefore, are prohibited by this policy include but are not limited to the following: ... A pattern of behaviors that is unwelcome and severe or pervasive, resulting in unreasonable interference with the work or educational environment or creation of a hostile, intimidating or offensive work or educational environment, and may include but is not limited to the following:

* Comments of a sexual nature;

* Sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes, or anecdotes;

* Unnecessary or undesirable touching, patting, hugging, kissing, or brushing against an individual's body;

* Remarks of a sexual nature about an individual's clothing, body, or speculations about previous sexual experiences;

* Persistent, unwanted attempts to change a professional relationship to an amorous relationship;

* Subtle propositions for sexual activity or direct propositions of a sexual nature; and/or

* Uninvited letters, e-mails, telephone calls, or other correspondence referring to or depicting sexual activities.
Sexual harassment encompasses unwelcome
sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favors or requests for sexual favors in exchange
for some benefit, and/or unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature by a male or a
female. Sexual harassment occurs when:
...
A behavior is sufficiently severe and pervasive to interfere with any individual's work or
educational performance, or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or
educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 252 KB).

Green light: Standards of Conduct for Students: Harassment 12-13

Conduct by any means that is severe,
pervasive, or persistent, and is of such a
nature that it would cause a reasonable
person in the victim's position substantial
emotional distress and undermine his or her
ability to work, study, or participate in his
or her regular life activities or participate in
the activities of the university, and actually
does cause the victim substantial emotional
distress and undermines the victim's ability
to work, study, or participate in the victim's
regular life activities or participate in the
activities of the university.
View full policy (PDF, 163 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Red light: WSU Police: Directory of Services- Bias Hotline 12-13

If you witness or experience something that discriminates, stereotypes, excludes, or harasses anyone based on some part of their identity - such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or mental, physical, or sensory handicap, report it immediately.

Washington State University and Washington State University Police Department is committed to responding to and investigating all reported incidents of discrimination, harassment, hate, and bias.
View full policy (PDF, 207 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 August 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.