Red Light School

University of Hawaii at Hilo

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: Chancellor Donald O Straney
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Administration 120
200 W. Kawili Street
Hilo
Hilo, HI 96720
808-974-7444
dstraney@hawaii.edu
Website: http://hilo.hawaii.edu/

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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: Policy on Sexual Harassment and Related Conduct 12-13

Examples of behaviors that could constitute hostile environment
sexual harassment include but are not limited to
* unnecessary and unwanted touching, patting, hugging, or
brushing against a person's clothing or body;
* remarks of a sexual nature about a person's clothing or body;
* remarks about sexual activity or speculations about previous
sexual experience;
* pressure for sexual activity, an element of which may be
nonverbal conduct, such as repeated and unwanted staring or
sexually suggestive gestures;
* display or distribution of sexually offensive literature,
images, cartoons, or other audio-visual materials; or
* gratuitous introduction into instruction, discussion, or
conversation of material of a sexual nature, such as sexually
explicit anecdotes, questions, or jokes.
Hostile environment sexual harassment is defined as sexual
advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or verbal or physical
conduct of a sexual nature, when such conduct is unwelcome to
the person to whom it is directed or to others directly aware
of it, and when such conduct is
1. severe or pervasive; and 2. has the purpose or effect of either:
(a) unreasonably interfering with the employee's work
performance or student's academic performance, or
(b) creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or
educational environment.
The conduct must be both objectively and subjectively perceived
as offensive. That is, the reporting party must view the
conduct as offensive, and a reasonable person with the same
fundamental characteristics as the reporting party (e.g., age,
race, gender) must also view the conduct as offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 227 KB).

Yellow light: Student Conduct Code 12-13

Engaging in, or attempting to engage in, any of these behaviors subjects a student to the disciplinary process and sanctions of each campus. ... Any conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person including but not limited to physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and stalking.
View full policy (PDF, 278 KB).

Red light: Student Conduct Code 12-13

Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other behavior of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and sufficiently severe or pervasive that it interferes with a person's academic or professional performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or employment environment. The behavior can be verbal, non-verbal or physical.
Examples include sexual innuendo, spreading sexual rumors, sexual put-downs and jokes, remarks of a sexual nature about a person's clothing or body, offensive written notes or emails, sexual propositions, insults or threats, leering, whistling, suggestive or insulting sounds and gestures, and touching someone's body when unwelcome.
View full policy (PDF, 278 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Facilities Use Practices & Procedures 12-13

The lawn area between Student Services Building and the Theater (see Attachment C) is designated as the public forum area for the University where individuals may assemble and engage in public speech activities.
View full policy (PDF, 1186 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: UHH Student Housing Judicial Process 12-13

Decorating & Room Alterations: ... Residents may be required to remove materials that would be deemed offensive by the
community ....
View full policy (PDF, 1096 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Use and Management of Information Technology Resources 12-13

Users may not engage in the transmission of unsolicited bulk email ("spamming"), regardless of how important it may seem to the sender. Email is a form of individual communication, not a public forum, and should not be used to express opinions or forward views to those who have not expressed a wish to engage in the dialog.
View full policy (PDF, 547 KB).

Yellow light: Student Conduct Code 12-13

Theft or other abuse of computer and other electronic facilities and resources, including but not limited to: ... Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or abusive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 278 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 April 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.