Red Light School

St. Olaf College

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Eighth Circuit
Head of Institution: President David R Anderson
St. Olaf College
1520 St. Olaf Avenue
Northfield, MN 55057
507-786-2222
anderson@stolaf.edu
Website: http://www.stolaf.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: Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Proscribed Conduct 12-13

Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person including, but not limited to, the following forms:

a. Direct oral expression or physical gesture or action.

b. Notes, letters, U.S. mail, campus mail or other forms of written communication.

c. Phone calls or phone messages.

d. E-mail or other computer-based methods of communication.
View full policy (PDF, 175 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Proscribed Conduct 12-13

Sexual harassment, including, but not limited to:

a. Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature on college premises or at functions sponsored by or participated in by the college.

b. Harassment on the basis of another's race, disability, religion or sexual orientation.
View full policy (PDF, 175 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome conduct that emphasizes the sexuality or sexual identity of a person, such as: sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.
View full policy (PDF, 321 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: Residence Life Policies and Procedures- Harassment, Sexual and Sexual Assault 12-13

Examples of verbal or physical conduct that are prohibited include but are not limited to: ... unwelcome remarks of a sexual nature, including remarks about a person's body or clothing; unwelcome remarks about sexual activity; showing, exposing to, or subjecting others to materials or media of a sexual nature.
View full policy (PDF, 1001 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Residence Life Policies and Procedures- Public Area Decoration 12-13

Because St. Olaf is a safe space for all students; any material that can be deemed offensive, demeaning, or derogatory to others may not be posted in common areas. These areas include: the front of any room doors, on the hallway or spaces around it, as well as restrooms. If such material is posted, The Area Coordinator may ask to have it removed. If it is not removed, other disciplinary actions may result.
View full policy (PDF, 1001 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Student Handbook: Misuse of Computers 12-13

St. Olaf College provides computing and networking resources in order to meet the academic needs of students, faculty, and staff. Any actions that undermine this important college goal are subject to disciplinary review. These include, but are not limited to ... creating or posting of material that is offensive, pornographic, libelous, or intended to harass.
View full policy (PDF, 66 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Preamble 12-13

St. Olaf College is committed to creating and maintaining an environment where individual and institutional responsibility combine to promote each student's complete development. The academic freedoms to teach and learn are integral to this environment.
View full policy (PDF, 51 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Campus Demonstrations 12-13

St. Olaf College affirms its belief in the importance of freedom of expression and in the value of permitting all members of the college community to protest actions with which they disagree.
View full policy (PDF, 56 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Speaker Policy 12-13

Free inquiry and free expression are essential attributes of the community of scholars. As members of that community, students should develop the capacity for critical judgment and engage in a sustained and independent search for truth.

To this end, student organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them, express their views, and hear opinions of others.
View full policy (PDF, 58 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in September 2012. 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.