Yellow Light School

University of California, Los Angeles

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: Chancellor Gene D Block
University of California, Los Angeles
Box 951405
Murphy Hall 2147
Los Angeles, CA 90095
310-825-2151
chancellor@conet.ucla.edu
Website: http://www.ucla.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)

Yellow light: Sexual Harassment Prevention Office: Sexual Harassment Brochure 12-13

Basically, sexual harassment falls into two broad categories: ... a "hostile environment" created by such behavior as sexual
jokes or remarks, sexually explicit pictures or unwelcome
physical contact.
View full policy (PDF, 391 KB).

Green light: Student Conduct Code 12-13

Harassment is defined as conduct that is so severe and/or pervasive, and objectively offensive, and that so substantially impairs a person’s access to University programs or activities that the person is effectively denied equal access to the University’s resources and opportunities.
View full policy (PDF, 68 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Green light: UCLA Regulations on Activities, Registered Organizations, and Use of Properties 12-13

On University grounds generally open to the public (as defined in these regulations),
individuals, Authorized Student Governments, and Registered Campus Organizations
may assemble and engage in discussion or non-amplified speech, including the
solicitation of signatures on non-commercial petitions, provided that such activity does
not disrupt the orderly operation of the campus, or submit individuals to practices that
would make them involuntary audiences or place them in reasonable fear, as determined
by the University, for their personal safety.
View full policy (PDF, 50 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Office of Residential Life: Posting, Advertising, and Distribution of Materials 12-13

All materials from outside of On-Campus Housing must be approved, stamped and disseminated by the Office of Residential Life and must be received at least five (5) business days prior to the event date.
View full policy (PDF, 371 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Acceptable Use Policy 12-13

The following list, while not exhaustive, characterizes unacceptable behavior which may be subject to disciplinary action: ... Sending chain letters, advertisements, or solicitations of any type; Sending mass mailings to individuals who have not expressly agreed to be contacted in this manner.
View full policy (PDF, 171 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: UCLA Report Bias 12-13

The purpose of reporting is not necessarily to initiate punitive measures but to allow the campus to respond in other ways (e.g., education, counter-speech, etc.) and punitive measures would be initiated only in compliance with University policies and the Constitution.
What is an act of bias?

Any demeaning, derogatory or otherwise offensive behavior directed toward any individual on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or other group characteristics.
View full policy (PDF, 122 KB).

Yellow light: University of California Campus Climate 12-13

Hate Speech: Hate speech is any speech, gesture or conduct, writing, or display that may incite violence or prejudicial action against someone based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, gender, gender identity, ethnicity ....
Expressions of Bias: A general communication not directed toward a particular individual, which disparages a group of people on the basis of some characteristic ....
If you experience or observe behavior that is inconsistent with our Principles of Community, please report it.

You may report in a variety of ways:

*Report anonymously or by name, via this Campus Climate page, by selecting the University of California campus where the incident occurred from the list to the right and clicking "Continue".
* Report anonymously to an appropriate campus office, based on the nature of the incident. Please refer to the website for the campus where the incident occurred.
* Report anonymously via your campus' Bias Reporting page, by selecting your campus from the Local Bias Reporting menu above. If your campus does not appear on this list, there is no local reporting form available. Please use this form, instead.
* File a report with your Campus Police Department, via the Campus Police menu above.
View full policy (PDF, 122 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: UCLA Regulations on Activities, Registered Organizations, and Use of Properties 12-13

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is committed to assuring that all persons may
exercise the constitutionally protected rights of free expression, speech, assembly, and worship.
Free and open association, discussion and debate are important aspects of the educational
environment of the University, and should be actively protected and encouraged, even where the
positions advocated are controversial and unpopular.
View full policy (PDF, 51 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 January 2013. 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.