Red Light School

Georgetown 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: Private
Federal Circuit: DC Circuit
Head of Institution: President John J DeGioia
Georgetown University
Office of the President
204 Healy Hall
37th & O Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20057
202-687-4134
president@georgetown.edu
Website: http://www.georgetown.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 Code of Conduct: Harassment 12-13

Any intentional or persistent act(s) deemed intimidating, hostile, coercive, or offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 3759 KB).

Yellow light: Student Affairs and Related Policies: Policy Statement on Harassment 12-13

Harassment, other than sexual harassment, is verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion to an individual because of gender, race, color, religion, age, pregnancy, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation, personal appearance, source of income or any basis prohibited by law, when such conduct has the purpose or effect of: unreasonably interfering with an individual’s
academic or work performance; creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment; or otherwise adversely affecting an individual’s academic or employment opportunities. Harassment may include, but is not limited to: verbal abuse or ridicule, including slurs, epithets, and stereotyping; offensive jokes and comments; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts, and displaying or distributing offensive materials, writings, graffiti, or pictures.
View full policy (PDF, 2374 KB).

Red light: Student Affairs and Related Policies: Bias-related Conduct 12-13

Examples of acts that would not be considered a bias-related violation include:

Posting flyers for public events on campus that use speech that may be considered offensive or inflammatory by another individual or group, where the posting is done in a way that does not deface or destroy personal or University property.

Expressing ideas, thoughts, and feelings in public events (such as speeches, dialogues, panel discussions, rallies, etc.) that may be considered harsh or extreme by another individual or group, where the expressions do not amount to harassment.
Examples of bias-related code violations include:

Any intimidating, hostile, coercive, and/or offensive act which is intentional or persistent (thereby constituting harassment under the Code), which makes use of slurs, phrases, symbols, or conduct, or which is directed at specific individuals or groups of individuals, in such a way as to make an individual or group feel intimidated or unwelcome because of their actual or perceived color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, and/or sexual orientation.
View full policy (PDF, 2374 KB).

Yellow light: Student Affairs and Related Policies: Policy Statement on Harassment 12-13

For the purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's work or educational performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for work or learning.
View full policy (PDF, 2374 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Affairs and Related Policies: Speech & Expression Policy 12-13

[E]xpression that is indecent or is grossly obscene or grossly offensive on matters such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation is inappropriate in a university community and the University will act as it deems appropriate to educate students violating this principle.
View full policy (PDF, 2374 KB).

Red light: Student Code of Conduct: Disorderly Conduct- Category A 12-13

Disorderly Conduct- Actions or attempted actions that annoy or disturb others.
View full policy (PDF, 3759 KB).

Red light: Student Code of Conduct: Incivility with Other Students- Category A 12-13

Disrespect of a fellow Georgetown student through language or actions. Intent is not an element of this violation, but will be
considered in the application of sanctions.
View full policy (PDF, 3759 KB).

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: Incivility with University Official/Law Enforcement Officer- Category B 12-13

Disrespect of a University Official or law enforcement officer using especially egregious and/or antagonistic language or behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 3759 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Affairs and Related Policies: Speech and Expression Policy 12-13

An individual hosting an event is responsible for all costs (including security if such is deemed necessary by the University administration) associated with the event ....
The individual or group hosting such an event must reserve the place where it will occur, in accordance with registration requirements. However, the area adjacent to the ICC ("Red Square") and Leavey Lobby (in inclement weather) shall be available, without prior arrangement, for individuals and groups during daylight hours for the purpose of exchanging ideas.
View full policy (PDF, 2374 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Student Affairs and Related Policies: Advertising Policy for Student Media 12-13

As publisher/manager, the University retains the right to:

Exclude advertisements for abortion services, (contraception, sperm donors) of any kind from any and all student media.
Deny use of funds from any University budget for any media containing such advertisement.
Take action through the procedures outlined below against any member of any editorial board approving such advertising.
Exclude advertisements paid through an exchange of goods and/or service other than cash unless involved in a promotion approved by the media’s editorial board and cleared by the Center for Student Programs.
Exclude advertisements of research papers or research assistance services of any kind.
Exclude any advertising that promotes violation of the intention and spirit of the DC Code and/or Georgetown University regulations.

The University also reserves the right to specify further types of advertisements that it considers to be grossly unjust or inconsistent with the conscience of Georgetown as a Catholic, Jesuit educational institution and to prohibit such advertisements from student media. Any such future prohibitions must be made with the advice and consultation of the Media Board, must be specified in writing to all student media and must be added to the exclusionary rights of this policy on student media before denial of any allotted funds.
View full policy (PDF, 2374 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Affairs and Related Policies: Speech & Expression Policy 12-13

A university is many things but central to its being is discourse, discussion, debate: the untrammeled expression of ideas and information.
[A]ll members of the Georgetown University academic community, which comprises students, faculty and administrators, enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression. This freedom includes the right to express points of view on the widest range of public and private concerns and to engage in the robust expression of ideas.
"Free speech" is central to the life of the university. ... The long and short of the matter is that "time, place and manner" are the only norms allowable in governing the expression of ideas and sharing of information that is the very life of the university.
View full policy (PDF, 2374 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.