University of Alabama
A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.
| Public or Private: |
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Public
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| Federal Circuit: |
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Eleventh Circuit |
| Head of Institution: |
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President Judy L Bonner
University of Alabama
Office of the President
203 Rose Administration Box 870100
Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
205-348-5100
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| Website: |
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http://www.ua.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)
Judicial Affairs: Student Code- Proscribed Conduct 12-13
Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, stalking,
intimidation, harassment, sexual misconduct, coercion,
and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the
health or safety of any person. This paragraph is
intended to include any contact or communication
which threatens, harasses or injures a person.
View full policy (PDF, 117 KB).
Office of Equal Opportunity Programs: Harassment Policy 12-13
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's performance as an employee or student or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment.
An isolated incident of hostile behavior, although offensive, usually will not be sufficient to establish a claim of illegal harassment. For example, generally, a single sexual joke, offensive epithet, or request for a date does not constitute sexual harassment; however, being subjected to such jokes, epithets or requests repeatedly may constitute sexual harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 282 KB).
Office of Equal Opportunity Programs: Harassment Policy 12-13
Harassment is abusive or hostile conduct which is directed toward or inflicted upon another person because of his or her race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran’s status and which, because of its severity or pervasiveness, unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work or academic performance or creates a hostile or abusive work or learning environment for that individual’s work, education, or participation in a University activity.
Harassment is typically based on stereotyped prejudices and includes, but is not limited to, slurs, jokes, objectionable epithets, or other verbal, graphic, or physical conduct that demeans, insults, or intimidates an individual because of his or her race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.
View full policy (PDF, 282 KB).
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Housing and Residential Communities: Community Living Standards 12-13
Residents are to refrain from using discriminatory or inflammatory language, including, but not limited to online, telephone, verbal, non-verbal, or written communications with the intent to harm or incite.
You are responsible for respecting the rights of all others in the residence hall community, and to act with civility at all times.
View full policy (PDF, 115 KB).
Free Speech Zones
Student Handbook: Grounds Use 12-13
Other than uses for casual recreational or social activities, reservations must be made for the use of buildings and grounds under the control of the University. Requests for reservations will be granted in accordance with the priorities of the designated area. The request must be made by a signed, written application to the appropriate office as set out in the procedures referenced below.
The use of loudspeakers or any other type of amplified sound or musical instruments on the University grounds is by permission only.
Printed materials may be distributed on public sidewalks.
View full policy (PDF, 283 KB).
Posting Policies
Student Organizations Manual: Advertising and Soliciting on Campus 12-13
All posters, signs, and bumper stickers should be in good taste. Any questions that arise concerning the interpretation of good taste should be directed to the Auxiliary and Support Services Office.
View full policy (PDF, 96 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
Judicial Affairs: Student Code- Proscribed Conduct 12-13
Use of computing facilities to send obscene or abusive messages.
View full policy (PDF, 117 KB).
Office of Information Technology: Guidelines for Computer and Network Use 12-13
While the constitutional right of free speech applies to communication in all forms, we encourage civil and respectful discourse. University policy and local, state and federal law do prohibit some forms of communication, to include:
* obscenity
* defamation
* advocacy directed to incite or produce lawless action
* threats of violence
* disruption of the academic environment
* harassment based on sex, race, disability or other protected status
* anonymous or repeated messages designed to annoy, abuse or torment
View full policy (PDF, 519 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Student Handbook: Codes of Conduct 12-13
The University of Alabama aspires to transmit knowledge, to develop its students, and to promote the quality of society. In seeking these goals, the University recognizes the significance of student rights. These rights include freedom of expression, autonomy, procedural protection and the integrity of people and their property. By ensuring these individual rights, the University fosters an environment conducive to student success and well being.
View full policy (PDF, 519 KB).
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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.
