University of Colorado at Boulder

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: Tenth Circuit
Head of Institution: Chancellor Phil DiStefano
University of Colorado at Boulder
17 UCB
Regent 301
Boulder, CO 80309
303-492-8908
chanchat@spot.colorado.edu
Website: http://www.colorado.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)

Student Conduct Code: Abusive Conduct 11-12

Unwelcome conduct by an individual(s) that is sufficiently severe or
pervasive that it alters the conditions of education or employment and creates an environment
that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive. The determination of
whether an environment is "hostile" must be based on all of the circumstances. These
circumstances could include the frequency of the conduct, its severity, and whether it is
threatening or humiliating. Simple teasing, offhand comments and isolated incidents (unless
extremely serious) will not amount to abusive conduct.
View full policy (PDF, 553 KB).

Student Conduct Code: Definitions- Sexual Harassment 11-12

Hostile environment sexual harassment. Unwelcome sexual conduct that is sufficiently
severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of education or employment and creates an
environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive. The
determination of whether an environment is "hostile" must be based on all of the circumstances.
These circumstances could include the frequency of the conduct, its severity, and whether it is
threatening or humiliating.
View full policy (PDF, 534 KB).

Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures 11-12

Harassment. Verbal or physical conduct that unreasonably interferes with an individual's work or academic performance or creates an intimidating or hostile work or educational environment.
Hostile Environment. Unwelcome conduct by an individual(s) against another individual based upon her/his Protected Class that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of education or employment and creates an environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive. The determination of whether an environment is "hostile" must be based on all of the circumstances. These circumstances could include the frequency of the conduct, its severity, and whether it is threatening or humiliating. Simple teasing, offhand comments and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious) will not amount to hostile environment harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 3201 KB).

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

Residence Hall Policies, Regulations, and Standards of Conduct: Philosophy of Student Conduct 11-12

It is against the basic nature of this community for anyone to demean or discriminate against another human being. A caring, educational community does not tolerate physical or psychological threats, harassment, intimidation, or violence directed against a person(s). Such behavior is subject to the university's highest conduct processes.
View full policy (PDF, 715 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Use of University Facilities 11-12

Applicants for Non-Academic Use of University Facilities shall submit a completed reservation request form to the Non-Academic Scheduling Coordinator (NASC) at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the planned event. For all outdoor events, applicants must also submit appropriate non-academic scheduling form(s) to the NASC, including all required signatures. The NASC may in his discretion waive this fourteen (14) day requirement for applicants that meet all other requirements for use of University facilities set forth in Section IV.C, the General Conditions of Use set forth in Section III, and the General Limitations of Use set forth in Section VIII of this policy.
The University may require that adequate security measures be taken to provide protection for persons seeking attendance, persons in attendance at an event, and for the University property involved. Where a proposed event presents a particular risk to the health and safety of the applicant, the University community or the public, or a danger to University property or facilities, CUUF may require insurance, a bond, a security deposit or security costs to be paid by the event sponsor adequate for the protection of those who may attend such an event and the University facilities involved. In determining whether such a requirement shall be imposed, CUUF shall consider (1) the number of anticipated attendees, (2) whether the proposed event involves activity that poses an inherent risk of personal injury or property damage (3) whether the sponsor intends to charge for admission to the event; and (4) any prior incidents of personal injury or property damage during similar events at the University or other institutions.
View full policy (PDF, 7757 KB).

Posting Policies

Residence Hall Policies, Regulations, and Standards of Conduct: Doors 11-12

Residents sometimes affix material to the outside of their room doors. To use the door in this manner, follow these guidelines:
1. Avoid material that a reasonable person might find offensive.
2. Don't post material that "attacks," demeans, or otherwise exploits an individual or a group of individuals....
View full policy (PDF, 656 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Guidelines for Computer Users 11-12

[Y]ou may not annoy, intimidate, threaten, offend, or bother another person by: conveying obscene language, pictures, and/or other materials; making threats of bodily or psychological harm; contacting another person repeatedly with the intent to annoy or bother; and/or contacting a person who has expressed a desire for communication to cease.
View full policy (PDF, 1253 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.