Red Light School

Wesleyan University

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: Second Circuit
Head of Institution: President Michael S Roth
Wesleyan University
President's Office
South College
Wesleyan Station
Middletown, CT 06459
860-685-3500
mroth@wesleyan.edu
Website: http://www.wesleyan.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: University Standards and Regulations- The Code of Non-Academic Conduct 12-13

Harassment and abuse, intentionally directed toward individuals or groups, may include at least the following forms: the intentional use or threat of physical violence, coercion, intimidation, and verbal harassment and abuse. Wesleyan University's commitment to nondiscrimination means that intentional discriminatory harassment may be punished more severely than nondiscriminatory or unintentional forms of harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 542 KB).

Red light: Student Handbook: University Standards and Regulations- Responsibility of the University to Its Members 12-13

a. Wesleyan University prohibits discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, or any other basis protected by local, state or federal law in any activity administered by the University.

b. Also prohibited is any form of discriminatory harassment performed by a member or members of the University against any other individual or groups. Discriminatory harassment may include any action or statement intended to insult, stigmatize, or degrade an individual or group on the basis of the categories of discrimination listed in 2a.
The right to abstain from performing acts and the right to be protected against actions that may be harmful to the health or emotional stability of the individual or that degrade the individual or infringe upon his/her personal dignity.
View full policy (PDF, 498 KB).

Green light: Student Handbook: University Standards and Regulations- Policy on Discrimination and Harassment 12-13

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests of sexual favors, and other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when ...(3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
View full policy (PDF, 501 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: University Standards and Regulations- Posters, Banners, Announcements, and Other Forms of Communication 12-13

The University's nondiscrimination and sexual harassment policies prohibit conduct that has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

Messages that violate these community standards are not permitted. Concerns about any posted messages should be forwarded to the director of affirmative action. The director will appoint a team who will review the posting in question, and the message will be removed if a reasonable person might perceive it to be intimidating, hostile, or offensive. The director of affirmative action will maintain a record of postings that are removed.
View full policy (PDF, 485 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: University Standards and Regulations- The Code of Non-Academic Conduct 12-13

Students should be free, and no special permission should be required, to distribute pamphlets or collect names for petitions concerned with campus or off-campus issues.
Picketing, demonstrations, sit-ins, or student strikes, provided they are conducted in an orderly and non-obstructive manner, are a legitimate mode of expression, whether politically motivated or directed against the college administration, and should not be prohibited.
View full policy (PDF, 542 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Joint Statement on the Rights and Freedoms of Students 12-13

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals.
View full policy (PDF, 491 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: University Standards and Regulations- Responsibility of the University to Its Members 12-13

It is the responsibility of every member of the University to respect the rights and privileges of all others in the University as enumerated below.

1. Freedom of assembly, speech, belief, and the right of petition ....
View full policy (PDF, 498 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: University Standards and Regulations- Statement on Academic Freedom 12-13

In accordance, then, with the ideals of academic freedom, every member of the Wesleyan community should feel that he or she can enter into controversy without fear of being silenced or constrained. This community’s commitment to the free exchange of ideas and pursuit of knowledge requires a wide range of protections for speech and expression, even when noxious or offensive.
View full policy (PDF, 487 KB).

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