Bridgewater 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)
Student Handbook: Policies and Procedures- Harassment 12-13
Violations also include conduct less than a physical attack or interference that is intended to, or by inference can be construed as intended to, interfere with a person in the conduct of his or her customary or usual affairs, such as the sending of threatening letters, the posting of threatening letters explicitly or by inference directed to the person, the use of threatening language directed at another or the vandalism or misappropriation of a person's property or vandalism of a person's home (e.g. by graffiti).
Harassment includes but is not limited to verbal, physical or written abuse directed towards an individual or group on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, political belief or affiliation, gender identity, or genetic information. Some examples, such as physical and verbal assaults, are easily identified. More difficult to label is the harassment hidden behind graffiti or insensitive words or statements, such as epithets or "jokes". Both the blatant abuse and the more subtle harassment can be equally damaging.
View full policy (PDF, 121 KB).
Student Handbook: Policies and Procedures- Sexual Harassment 12-13
Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome verbal, nonverbal and/or physical behavior of a sexual nature that has the effect of interfering with student or employment status. It creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
Examples of sexual harassment may include but are not limited to: verbal conduct of a sexual nature; subtle pressure for sexual activity; sexual remarks about an individual's or group's body or sexual activities; unnecessary touching, patting or pinching; demands for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats or offers concerning one's job, grades, letter of recommendation, etc.; physical sexual assault.
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... The conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual's work or academic working/academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment, educational or living environment.
View full policy (PDF, 122 KB).
Free Speech Zones
Student Handbook: Policy on Time, Place, and Manner of Free Expression 12-13
With the approval of the vice president for student affairs or designee at least 24 hours in advance, non-commercial pamphlets, handbills, circulars, newspapers, magazines, and other written materials may be distributed on a person-to-person basis in open areas on campus that are at least 10 feet from the entrances or exits of college buildings. ...Distributed materials must clearly identify the author or sponsor of the materials.
As defined below, public forum areas are generally available for speeches and demonstrations between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Except as further provided below, the use of these areas for speaking, demonstrating, and other forms of expression must be approved at least 24 hours in advance by the vice president for student affairs or designee. ... Traditional public forums include the college's lawns, sidewalks, malls, and similar common areas such as the Boyden Quadrangle and the Maxwell Library Mall.
Exceptions to the advance approval requirement may be made in the case of spontaneous speech-related events which are occasioned by news or affairs coming into public knowledge less than 24 hours prior to such event. In such a case, responsive expressional activities in the public forum areas of the campus require no advance notice.
View full policy (PDF, 318 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Student Handbook: Policy on Time, Place, and Manner of Free Expression 12-13
Exposure to a wide array of ideas, viewpoints, opinions, and creative expression is an integral part of a college education, preparing students for life in a diverse global society. The rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, religion, and public assembly are basic and essential to an individual's intellectual and social development.
Bridgewater State College recognizes the right of individuals to exercise all forms of constitutionally protected expression and free speech without prior restraint or censorship. The college acknowledges that public discourse may include the discussion of controversial ideas, and the college will not limit public discourse based solely on its communicative content.
View full policy (PDF, 318 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.
