Red Light School

Purdue 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 Timothy D Sands
Purdue University
1080 Schleman Hall
West Lafayette
West Lafayette, IN 47907
765-494-4600
president@purdue.edu
Website: http://www.purdue.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)

Green light: University Policies: Antiharassment Policy 12-13

Racial harassment is conduct that demonstrates hostility toward another person (or identifiable group of persons) on the basis of race, color, national origin, or ancestry, and that has the purpose or effect of:

1. creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment, work environment, or environment for participation in a University activity;
2. unreasonably interfering with a person’s educational environment, work environment, or environment for participation in a University activity; or
3. unreasonably affecting a person’s educational or work opportunities or participation in a University activity.
View full policy (PDF, 379 KB).

Green light: University Policies: Antiharassment Policy 12-13

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance; requesting of sexual favors; or other written, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, education, or participation in a University activity;
2. submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for, or a factor in, decisions affecting that individual’s employment, education, or participation in a University activity; or
3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or academic performance or creating an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment for that individual’s employment, education, or participation in a University activity.
View full policy (PDF, 379 KB).

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

Yellow light: University Regulations: Regulations Governing Student Conduct, Disciplinary Proceedings, and Appeals 12-13

The following actions constitute misconduct for which students may be subject to administrative action or disciplinary penalties.
...
Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression on University property or in connection with a University activity.
View full policy (PDF, 584 KB).

Yellow light: University Regulations: Bill of Student Rights 12-13

The student shall be free to discuss and express any view relevant to subject matter presented by the instructor or other class members. However, in exercising this freedom, the student shall not interfere with the academic process of the class by speaking to or behaving towards others in a hostile, demeaning, or intimidating manner.
View full policy (PDF, 254 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Office of the Dean of Students: Speech and Expression on Campus 12-13

The area south of the flagpole on Purdue Memorial Mall has been designated as a public forum due to it being a highly visible area, easily accessible, and the place least likely to disrupt or obstruct University activities and functions.
View full policy (PDF, 156 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: University Residences Guidelines: Bulletin Boards 12-13

Each residence has bulletin boards containing important information. The management and/or residence publicity officers must approve all notices and posters. Unauthorized publicity will be removed. Signs, flyers, etc. may not be affixed to building surfaces, windows, woodwork, or furnishings without proper approval. Signs or displays containing profane, lewd, or indecent expressions will be removed.
View full policy (PDF, 121 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: University Policies: Information Technology - Electronic Mail 12-13

[T]he following specific actions and uses of University E-mail Facilities are improper:
...
5. Use of e-mail to harass or threaten other individuals.
6. Use of e-mail that degrades or demeans other individuals.
View full policy (PDF, 223 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: University Policies: Violent Behavior 12-13

Threat: An expression of intent to cause physical or mental harm or damage to property. A threat may be direct, indirect, conditional or veiled. Any threat is presumed to constitute a statement of intent. An expression constitutes a threat without regard to whether the party communicating the threat has the present ability to carry it out and without regard to whether the expression is contingent or future.
View full policy (PDF, 314 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: University Policies: Antiharassment Policy 12-13

The University reaffirms its commitment to freedom of speech as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
View full policy (PDF, 379 KB).

Green light policy: Office of the Dean of Students: Speech and Expression on Campus 12-13

As a state institution, Purdue University adheres to the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Free speech, free expression, and peaceable assembly are basic to the exchange of ideas and beliefs.
View full policy (PDF, 156 KB).

Green light policy: University Regulations: Bill of Student Rights 12-13

It is the right of every student to exercise freely full rights as a citizen.
View full policy (PDF, 254 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 November 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.