Red Light School

Auburn 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 Jay Gogue
Auburn University
107 Samford Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849
334-844-4650
president@auburn.edu
Website: http://www.auburn.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: Policy Regarding Prohibited Harassment of Students 12-13

The term "harassment" includes but is not limited to: slurs, jokes, or other graphic or physical conduct relating to a student’s race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age and disability.
View full policy (PDF, 288 KB).

Green light: Policy Regarding Prohibited Harassment of Students 12-13

Sexual harassment in academic settings and in the employment arena where
students are involved is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, graphic, or physical conduct
of a sexual nature when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with a
student's employment or academic performance or creates an intimidating,
hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 288 KB).

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

Red light: Housing and Residence Life Policies: Resident Responsibility 12-13

Choosing to join a
residential community obligates each resident to make positive contributions to the community
and to abide by our Community Standards. As a member of this community you agree to the
following: ... I will not demean individuals or groups by teasing,
ridiculing, insulting, intimidating, harassing or discriminating.
View full policy (PDF, 59 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Policy on Campus Speech and Demonstration 12-13

Auburn University reserves the right to require that speakers, scheduled
or unscheduled, sponsored or not sponsored, University-affiliated or visitors to
the campus, use the Open Air Forum (located between Cater Hall lawn and Haley
Center Concourse) ... Demonstrations, speeches, and debates may be held only in the Open Air Forum,
unless special authorization for another location is secured through the Office of
the Dean of Students no less than 48 hours in advance of such activity.
Use of the Open Air Forum may be scheduled with the Office of the Dean of
Students daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM to best accommodate all users and to avoid monopolization by any person, agency, or organization.
View full policy (PDF, 51 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Code of Student Discipline 12-13

A student may be referred to the Discipline Committee for possible disciplinary action for the
following conduct related to campus life wherever it occurs: ... Any act that is detrimental to the educational mission of the University.
A student may be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for possible disciplinary action for
conduct wherever it occurs: ... When the student’s conduct adversely affects the University and/or the pursuit of its
mission and objectives.
View full policy (PDF, 1104 KB).

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