Red Light School

University of Texas at San Antonio

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: Fifth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Ricardo Romo
University of Texas at San Antonio
One UTSA Circle
San Antonio, TX 78249
210-458-4011
president@utsa.edu
Website: http://www.utsa.edu

« Return to School Overview

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)

Green light: Student Code of Conduct: Specific Conduct Proscribed 12-13

Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student for any of the following acts or violations: ... engages in harassment; harassment is defined as conduct that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent to create an objectively hostile environment that interferes with or diminishes the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the University ....
View full policy (PDF, 532 KB).

Yellow light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Nondiscrimination and Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct 12-13

Examples of behavior that could be considered sexual misconduct or sexual harassment include but are not limited to:
Physical contact of a sexual nature including touching, patting, hugging, or brushing against a person's body;
Explicit or implicit propositions or offers to engage in sexual activity;
Comments of a sexual nature including sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes or anecdotes; remarks of a sexual nature about a person's clothing or body; remarks about sexual activity; speculation about sexual experience;
Exposure to sexually oriented graffiti, pictures, posters, or materials; and/or
Physical interference with or restriction of an individual's movements.
Constitutionally protected expression cannot be considered harassment under this policy.
Harassment, as a form of discrimination, is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual or group because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status or sexual orientation when such conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's or group's academic or work performance; or of creating a hostile academic or work environment. Constitutionally protected expression cannot be considered harassment under this policy.
View full policy (PDF, 175 KB).

Yellow light: Resident Handbook: Hazing/Harassment 12-13

UTSA is committed to providing an environment whereby students are free from any harassment or hazing.
Harassment involves behavior towards a person that is unwanted (i.e., pranks, practical jokes, phone calls,
emails, text messages, etc.) and will not be tolerated. If you feel you are being hazed or harassed, please
contact a UTSA staff member immediately.
View full policy (PDF, 52 KB).

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

Green light: Resident Handbook: Verbal and/or Physical Abuse 12-13

We strive to maintain a civil and collegial environment befitting a community of scholars. Residents and
guests are strongly encouraged to treat all neighbors, roommates, visitors, and University Officials with
courtesy and respect.
Physical violence of any type will not be tolerated. Such behavior will result in conduct hearings with
Student Conduct and Community Standards, as well as HRL. Possible sanctions include removal from oncampus housing and suspension from the University. Incidents involving physical violence may also be
referred to the UTSAPD and may result in criminal charges.
View full policy (PDF, 55 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: University Posting of Materials 12-13

Materials to be posted may not: (1) Glorify, edify, promote, or support the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. (2) Display trademarks and/or brand names of alcoholic or illegal drug products. (3) Contain material that is obscene, vulgar, or libelous ....
All materials to be posted on General Posting Boards or banners to be displayed in approved locations by students, faculty, or staff and registered student organizations must be approved for posting and stamped by the Office of Student Activities.
View full policy (PDF, 112 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: Specific Conduct Proscribed 12-13

Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student for any of the following acts or violations: ... engages in an inappropriate or disproportionate use of an information technology resource owned or controlled by the University or System or uses an information technology resource for an illegal, threatening, or disruptive/destructive purpose; prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to circumventing system or network security, committing copyright infringement, transmitting unsolicited e-mail ....
View full policy (PDF, 532 KB).

Yellow light: Information Resources Acceptable Use Policy 12-13

Sexually Explicit materials must not be intentionally accessed, created, stored or transmitted other than
in the course of academic research where this aspect of the research has the explicit written approval
of an Executive Officer of UTSA.
View full policy (PDF, 269 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Solicitation of Any Kind and Distribution of Newspapers and Other Materials on the UTSA Campus 12-13

Anonymous publications are prohibited, and any individual or organization publishing or aiding in publishing, or circulating or aiding in circulating, any anonymous publication will be subject to disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 41 KB).

Yellow light: Handbook of Operating Procedures: Peaceful Public Assembly 12-13

no person may attempt to coerce, intimidate, or badger any other person into viewing, listening to, or accepting a copy of any communication ....
View full policy (PDF, 260 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 February 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.