San Jose State University

Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Ninth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Don W Kassing
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0002
408-924-1177
sjsupres@sjsu.edu
Website: http://www.sjsu.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)

Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Against Students and Applicants for Admission 10-11

Harassment means unwelcome conduct that is engaged in because of the protected status of a student or an applicant, and: ... or
Such conduct is so severe or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, is an educational environment that could be considered by a reasonable person, in the shoes of the student/ applicant, and is in fact considered by the student/applicant, intimidating, hostile or offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 113 KB).

SJSU Catalog: Sexual Harassment Policy and Complaints 10-11

CSU policy defines sexual harassment to include "such behavior as sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed towards an employee, student or applicant when one or more of the following circumstances are present: ... The conduct had the purpose or effect of interfering with a student's academic performance, creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or otherwise adverse learning environment, or adversely affecting any student.
View full policy (PDF, 31 KB).

Housing License Agreement Booklet: Harassment and/or Assault 10-11

Any form of activity, whether covert or overt, that creates a threatening or harassing environment for any UHS resident, guest, or staff member will be handled judicially and may be grounds for immediate disciplinary action, revocation of the Housing License Agreement, and criminal prosecution.
Verbal harassment is verbal behavior, either in words or gestures, which dominates, controls, or does another person harm. Verbal harassment occurs when unwelcome speech or conduct is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it interferes with an employee’s work performance or a resident’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational activity or program, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working, living, or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 27 KB).

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

Student Conduct Code 10-11

Students are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, to be civil to one another and to others in the campus community, and contribute positively to student and university life.
View full policy (PDF, 1446 KB).

Student Organization Code of Conduct: Disorderly Conduct 10-11

Harassment, threats, physical
abuse, intimidation or the threat of physical abuse, including bias-related incidents.
Any offensive or disorderly act or display which interferes with the rights of others.
View full policy (PDF, 3289 KB).

Posting Policies

Housing License Agreement Booklet: Posting Policy 10-11

The Director of University Housing Services or his/her designee(s) must approve any postings found within University Housing facilities. Postings must adhere to the UHS Posting and Distribution Policy. Postings should respect the mission and values of the university residence halls, which include providing all residents with a comfortable living environment and sense of community. Posters should not engage in gratuitously offensive expression that might be destructive of the desired community.
View full policy (PDF, 27 KB).

Housing License Agreement Booklet: Decorating and Renovating Room Structure, Furnishings or Grounds 10-11

Residents who are offended by materials posted
in common areas are to consult with their
Residential Life Coordinator immediately.
View full policy (PDF, 40 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Acceptable Use Policy 10-11

SJSU Computing users should not: ... * Post material to electronic bulletin boards, news groups, chat rooms, or mail lists which is illegal, inappropriate or otherwise at variance with accepted codes of network etiquette (e.g., Usenet rules published in news.announce.newusers).
View full policy (PDF, 63 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression 10-11

Because freedom of speech and expression play such a critical role in the functioning
of a university, undue interference with the exercise of these freedoms by members
of the San Jose State University community may constitute grounds for resort to law
or other formal action.
San Jose State University formally reaffirms its commitment to freedom
of speech and artistic expression through this presidential directive. Freedom of speech in
this context will be taken to encompass all forms of communication and artistic expression
as well as the freedom to listen, watch, protest, or otherwise participate in such
communication.
View full policy (PDF, 721 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in January 2011. 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.