Humboldt State University
A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.
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)
Current Residents Handbook: Verbal/Written Abuse 12-13
Verbal or written abuse toward a staff member or another student will not be tolerated and will be grounds for judicial action, which may include removal from the residence halls.
View full policy (PDF, 995 KB).
Student Rights and Responsibilities: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault 12-13
The following consists of examples of behaviors that may lead to or constitute sexual harassment: ... remarks about one's actual or perceived gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation or appearance ... disparaging comments about a group based on their actual or perceived gender ... the use of sexist humor or jokes about sex or gender specific traits ....
[F]or behavior to be considered sexual harassment the behavior must be sufficiently severe and pervasive to alter the conditions of the working or learning environment.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature when:
... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment.
View full policy (PDF, 528 KB).
Executive Order 1074: Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students 12-13
Harassment means unwelcome conduct engaged in because of a Protected Status that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the Student, and is in fact considered by the Student, as limiting the Student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University.
Sexual Harassment, as defined in California Education Code 212.5, consists of both non-sexual conduct based on sex or sex-stereotyping and conduct that is sexual in nature, and includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature where: ... The conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the Student, and is in fact considered by the Student, as limiting the Student's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University.
View full policy (PDF, 972 KB).
Executive Order 1072: Implementation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Related Sexual Harassment/Violence Legislation for CSU Students 12-13
"Sexual Harassment" is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that includes, but is not limited to: sexual violence; sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; indecent exposure; and other verbal, nonverbal or physical unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, where such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the individual, and is in fact considered by the individual, as limiting the individual's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the university. Sexual harassment also includes gender-based harassment, which may include acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on sex or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.
View full policy (PDF, 256 KB).
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Standards for Student Conduct 12-13
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, 174 KB).
Current Residents Handbook: Community Respect 12-13
Please know that we will not tolerate intimidation or any form of harassment (i.e. racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, religionism, ageism, citizenism, etc.) against any member(s) of our community and such action could lead to immediate removal. Likewise, we will not accept alcohol or substance use, ignorance, humor or anger as an excuse, reason or rationale for such behavior. Such behavior will be subject to severe disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, immediate removal from the residence halls and/or suspension from Humboldt State University.
When decorating your living area, please remember that you are part of a diverse community. We reserve the right to determine the appropriateness/reasonableness of decorations and to request the removal of and/or physically remove posters, signs and/or other forms of expression in public view that are perceived as offensive, degrading, discriminatory or which promote hate toward community members, including members of constitutionally protected categories. While we certainly support the rights of individuals to express thoughts and ideas, reasonable time, place and manner of that expression will be expected of all members of the residence hall community.
View full policy (PDF, 995 KB).
Free Speech Zones
Policy on Time, Place and Manner of Free Expression 12-13
Spontaneous events occasioned by news or affairs coming into public knowledge less than 48 hours prior to such event may be held in the Designated Public Forums described in Section VI as well as outdoors (other than turf athletics fields) without advance permission, and in University buildings with special permission of the President or the President’s designee.
View full policy (PDF, 375 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
Standards for Student Conduct 12-13
Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive
messages.
View full policy (PDF, 174 KB).
Appropriate Use Policy 12-13
Misuse of computing, communications, and information resource privileges includes, but is not restricted to, the following: ... Displaying on screens in shared facilities images, sounds, or messages which could create an atmosphere of discomfort or harassment to others. Students should make arrangements through their instructor for a private work area if a class assignment requires them to access such materials.
View full policy (PDF, 381 KB).
Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Bias Response Team: What is Bias? 12-13
Bias-related incidents are completed, attempted, or threatened abusive or hostile acts against persons, property, or an institution that involve a target, or targets, selected on the basis of an individual’s or group’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, age, gender, ethnic/regional/national origin group, nationality, disability status, sex or sexual orientation (including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender).
An area of concern, but one which is particularly difficult for universities to deal with, is the area of "Hate Speech." This area is difficult because of the nation’s deep commitment to free speech and all universities’ particular focus on free speech as a major component in the university learning environment. We believe that we can both maintain respect for free speech and engage a fruitful concern for "hate speech." With this in mind, we define Hate Speech as:
Hate speech is speech, text, images (written/spoken) presented in public that are designed to incite hatred, violence, contempt, or severe ridicule towards, or to intimidate or create terror or fear among members of racial, religious, or other groups (such as sexual minorities).
Having an ongoing discussion of what constitutes bias and hate speech, in the context of the preservation of free speech, is an imperative part of the process of creating and maintaining a just and inclusive learning community.
View full policy (PDF, 126 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 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.
