Red Light School

Alabama State 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: Public
Federal Circuit: Eleventh Circuit
Head of Institution: President William H Harris
Alabama State University
Alabama State University
915 S. Jackson St.
Montgomery, AL 36101
334-229-4202
Website: http://www.alasu.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)

Red light: Discrimination & Harassment Policy 12-13

Unwanted or persistent verbal or physical conduct, made on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, disability, marital status, gender or age, which create a hostile or intimidating work environment or which unreasonably interfere with an individual's job performance and/or opportunities, constitute discriminatory hostile environment harassment. Examples include, but are not limited to: degrading public tirades; profanity or offensive language; name-calling, racial or ethnic slurs; demeaning or derogatory comments) made on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, age or disability

Hostile conduct can occur whether made in general, directed to an individual or to a group of people regardless of whether the behavior was intended to harass.
Examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to:
... Derogatory comments, slurs or other offensive words or comments made on the basis of gender - whether made in general, directed to an individual or to a group of people regardless of whether the behavior was intended to harass. Telling jokes of a sexual nature; making sexually oriented comments on a person's appearance, sexual rumors, code words and stories.
Visual-
Posted material or material placed in or on University equipment or one's own personal property or body (including clothing and tattoos) in the workplace, which is offensive on the basis of gender.
Harassment is behavior (visual, physical or verbal) that has the effect of humiliating, intimidating or coercing another. It is behavior that causes discomfort, embarrassment or emotional distress. It is unwelcome behavior that is persistent and/or pervasive and has the intent or effect of interfering with another's work performance or creates a hostile environment.
This policy applies to and protects all employees, students and representatives of the University.
View full policy (PDF, 153 KB).

Yellow light: The Pilot: University Policy on Sexual Harassment 12-13

Sexual harassment may be of a homosexual or heterosexual nature and may consist of the following: 1. sexually suggestive language;
2. derogatory sexual comments ....
Unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favor and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when ... (3) such conduct has the purpose or
effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating
an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or academic environment or the assignment of
better academic grades or favorable consideration for academic or social advancement.
View full policy (PDF, 104 KB).

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

Yellow light: Student Discipline: Disciplinary Code of Conduct and Procedures 12-13

Other prohibited offenses: ... Disorderly or offensive behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 144 KB).

Yellow light: The Pilot: Student Rights and Responsibilities- Preamble 12-13

Students must refrain from using four-letter words and other obscenities that are not
accepted standards of decency at Alabama State University to parents, students, visitors,
professional staff, and others. Violations may be subject to judicial action under the category of
verbal abuse.
View full policy (PDF, 22 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Policy Regarding Abuse of Computers and Network Systems 12-13

Policy violations fall into four categories that involve the use of electronic communications to:
harass, threaten, or otherwise cause harm to specific individuals, for example, sending an individual repeated and unwanted (harassing) e-mail or using e-mail to threaten or stalk someone.
Policy violations fall into four categories that involve the use of electronic communications to: ... Download or post to University computers, or transport across University networks, material that is illegal, proprietary, in violation of University contracts, or otherwise is damaging to the institution, for example, launching a computer virus, distributing pornography via the web, or posting a University site-licensed program to a public bulletin board; Other examples include information dealing with cults or the occult, hacking, hate speech, nudism and naturalism, peer to peer file sharing, adult pornography, sexual orientation, and weapons.
View full policy (PDF, 89 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 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.