Red Light School

Western Illinois 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: Seventh Circuit
Head of Institution: President Jack Thomas
Western Illinois University
Western Illinois University - Office of the President
Sherman Hall 209
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
309-298-1824
J-Thomas2@wiu.edu
Website: http://www.wiu.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: Anti-Harassment Policy 12-13

It is the policy of Western Illinois University that all faculty, staff, and students work and study in an environment that is free from harassment based on sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

The University defines harassment as verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual because of his/her sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status, and that:

has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment;
has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work, study, or participation in University activities; or
otherwise adversely affects an individual's opportunities.
Harassing conduct includes:
epithets; slurs; negative stereotyping; or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts that relate to sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status;
written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status and that is displayed on walls, bulletin boards, or other public locations.
View full policy (PDF, 241 KB).

Yellow light: Anti-Harassment Policy 12-13

Examples of behavior and conduct that constitute sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to, the following: ... sexual advances, physical or implied, or direct propositions of a sexual nature. This activity may include inappropriate/unnecessary touching or rubbing against another, sexually suggestive or degrading jokes or comments, remarks of a sexual nature about one's clothing and/or body, preferential treatment in exchange for sexual activity, and the inappropriate display of sexually explicit pictures, text, printed materials, or objects that do not serve an academic purpose;
a pattern of conduct, which can be subtle in nature, that has sexual overtones and is intended to create, or has the effect of creating, discomfort and/or humiliation of another; or
remarks speculating about a person's sexual activities or sexual history, or remarks about one's own sexual activities or sexual history, that do not serve a medical or academic purpose.
Pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, "sexual harassment" is defined as:

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 interfering with the individual's work or educational performance; or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity.
View full policy (PDF, 241 KB).

Yellow light: Code of Student Conduct 12-13

Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions, including separation from the University or a lesser sanction authorized by the Code. ... [A]cts of physical or verbal abuse.
View full policy (PDF, 414 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Residence Hall Handbook: Decorating your Room 12-13

While you may decorate the inside of your room to suit your tastes, the outside of your door and window are
considered available to public view. The University will not allow the posting of items which are
deemed to be racist, sexist, indecent, scandalous, illegal, inciting, or in any way oppressive in
nature. These items may be removed, and disciplinary action may be taken.
View full policy (PDF, 68 KB).

Yellow light: Residence Hall Handbook: Posting Information in the Halls 12-13

The University will not approve any information that is deemed to be racist, sexist,
indecent, scandalous, illegal, inciting, or in any way oppressive in nature. Each hall has
established locations where materials may be posted.
View full policy (PDF, 81 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Distribution of Printed Materials and Collection of Signatures Policy 12-13

Distribution of printed materials or solicitation of signatures on sidewalks within the campus is limited to the daylight hours and is restricted to the following areas:
The walkways and open area traditionally known as the "free speech area" directly to the north of the University Union.
The south campus area adjacent to the University Union and covering the open spaces between Seal, Sallee, Browne, and Memorial Halls.
All printed materials in whatever manner distributed must identify the issuing person(s) or organization(s).
View full policy (PDF, 156 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Code of Student Conduct: Introduction 12-13

As citizens of the larger community in which the University is located, students retain the rights and responsibilities common to all citizens; affiliation with the University does not diminish the rights or responsibilities held by a student or any other community member as a citizen of the State, the nation, or the world.
View full policy (PDF, 414 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.