George Washington 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: Private
Federal Circuit: DC Circuit
Head of Institution: President Steven Knapp
George Washington University
Office of the President
2121 Eye Street, NW
Rice Hall, 8th Fl.
Washington, DC 20052
202-994-6500
gwupotu@gwu.edu
Website: http://www.gwu.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)

Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities: Policy on Sexual Harassment 10-11

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors,
and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature
when ... (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of
unreasonably interfering with an individual’s
academic or work performance or limiting
participation in University programs; or
(4) the intent or effect of such conduct is to create
an intimidating, hostile, or offensive academic or
work environment.
View full policy (PDF, 256 KB).

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

Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities: Code of Student Conduct- Disorderly Conduct 10-11

Disorderly Conduct - Shouting or making excessive noise
either inside or outside a building; verbally abusing
University officials acting in performance of their duties;
acting in a manner that annoys, disturbs, threatens or
harasses others; disrupting obstructing or interfering with
the activities of others; or behaving in a lewd or indecent
manner.
View full policy (PDF, 95 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Demonstrations Policy 10-11

Students, registered student organizations, faculty, or staff who wish to schedule a demonstration, rally, or equivalent activity at the Foggy Bottom or Mount Vernon campuses must do so utilizing the reservation procedure set forth by the Marvin Center and University Conferences. Scheduling and reservation requests may be made through the regular reservation procedure up to 24 hours in advance. Demonstrations will be permitted in Kogan Plaza, the Mid-campus quad or the University Yard unless the space has previously been reserved by another University department or organization. Demonstrations may be held at other locations on these campuses with special permission by Marvin Center and University Conferences. ... Unscheduled demonstrations, rallies, or equivalent activities may be held by recognized University organizations, faculty, full or part-time students, and current employees of the University in the areas defined above provided that the activity does not interfere with any functions for which that University facility or space has been reserved in advance.
View full policy (PDF, 2383 KB).

Posting Policies

GW Housing Programs Poster/Flyer Distribution Policy 10-11

Posters/flyers should not be found in bad taste/blatantly offensive to any group on campus.
PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
To assure that: ... Postings are not derogatory to any group.
View full policy (PDF, 583 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Code of Conduct for Users of Computing Systems and Services 10-11

University computing systems and services may not be used in an obscene, harassing or
otherwise inappropriate manner.
View full policy (PDF, 1869 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities: Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities 10-11

Student organizations and individual students shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately.
Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the
pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-
being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable
to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic
community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity
for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent
search for truth.
View full policy (PDF, 376 KB).

Guide to Student Rights and Responsibilities: Pamphlets, Petitions, and Demonstrations 10-11

The George Washington University is committed to the protection of
free speech, the freedom of assembly, and the safeguarding of the right of lawful protest on campus.
View full policy (PDF, 376 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 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.