Red Light School

Northern Arizona 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: Ninth Circuit
Head of Institution: President John D Haeger
Northern Arizona University
Office of the President
S. San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
928-523-3232
John.Haeger@nau.edu
Website: http://www.nau.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)

Green light: Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy: Sexual Harassment 12-13

Following are some examples of behavior that could constitute sexual harassment if proven to be unwelcome and, if by their severity, pervasiveness, or persistence create an environment that is, by the standard of a reasonable person, hostile and/or intimidating: * verbal - jokes, comments, requests, or questions of a sexual nature
* non-verbal - whistling, staring at body parts, blocking someone's entrance or exit from a space, gestures of a sexual nature
* physical - touching, patting, pinching, slapping, rubbing or any physical contact that is uninvited or offensive
* visual - photos, posters, calendars, jokes, cartoons, memos, letters, or notices of a sexual nature which are placed in or on university property, premises, vehicles or other work or study locations of the university
* electronic - telephone, facsimile or e-mail communication of a sexual nature that is unwelcome or offensive.
Sexual harassment is 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 unreasonably interfering with an individual's work, education, or participation in Board or university activities or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
View full policy (PDF, 570 KB).

Red light: Safe Working and Learning Environment Policy: Discrimination 12-13

Harassment of an individual on the basis of that individual's actual or perceived race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation is also prohibited under this policy. Prohibited harassment includes, but is not limited to, stereotyping, negative comments or jokes, explicit threats, segregation, and verbal or physical assault when any of these are based upon a person's race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. When these harassing behaviors become severe, pervasive or persistent, they may also violate Federal and State law.
View full policy (PDF, 570 KB).

Green light: Arizona Board of Regents Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Engaging repeated or significant behavior toward another individual,
whether in person, in writing, or through electronic means, after having
been asked to stop, or doing so to such a degree that a reasonable
person, subject to such contact, would regard the contact as
unwanted.
Endangering, threatening, or causing physical harm to any member of
the university community or to oneself, causing reasonable
apprehension of such harm or engaging in conduct or communications
that a reasonable person would interpret as a serious expression of
intent to harm.
Sexual harassment-- unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature
that is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to create an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
View full policy (PDF, 432 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Statement Regarding Assembly 12-13

Prior to sponsoring a rally, demonstration, march or other group event, the organization representative must complete the appropriate Permit (which is available in the Office of Student Life, Room 105 of the University Union).
The Permit must be reviewed by a member of the Office of Student Life. Prior to approval, a Dean will meet with the individual(s) requesting the permit.
View full policy (PDF, 134 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Rules and Regulations- Advertising/Information Distribution Policy 12-13

Students, student organizations, and non-profit community interest groups distributing literature by hand or otherwise must complete a solicitation permit available in the Office of Student Life.
Advertisements, posters, flyers, etc. shall be in good taste and not depict portrayals that are demeaning or discriminatory to any individual or group(s) of persons.
View full policy (PDF, 477 KB).

Yellow light: Standards of Residence: Residence Hall Conduct Handbook 12-13

[E]ach resident who chooses to express his or her creativity, via his or her window or door, assumes the responsibility for balancing his or her personal tastes with the image of the total community. Controversial or antagonistic materials may draw personal confrontations from others within the community who may be offended by the content. The following recommendation is offered to residents who choose to place signs or decorations on their windows or doors. Signs, posters and/or decorations should be appropriate for public viewing and in keeping with good taste.
View full policy (PDF, 472 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Network Acceptable Use Policy for Students 12-13

Misuse of computing resources includes, but is not limited to, the following:
...
Using University computer networking systems and resources for obscene purposes or in a pervasively profane manner, including but not limited to use which may bring into public disrepute the University's identity and image as a tolerant and serious institution of higher learning.
...
Using these resources in a manner, or with the intention, to inflict mental harassment, to intimidate, or to invade the privacy of any particular individual in a manner that is extreme or outrageous in the sense of being intolerable to reasonable members of a civilized society and which, in the case of other students, faculty, staff, administrators or members of the University, interferes with their ability to exercise their rights to participate fully in the purpose, mission, education, and life of the University.
...
Using these resources to threaten any particular individual with violence, to engage in that which naturally and directly tends to provoke acts of violence, or a breach of the peace by the person to whom, individually, the conduct or remarks are addressed.
View full policy (PDF, 143 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Rules and Regulations- Student Conduct 12-13

The university reserves the right, on the recommendation of the Dean of Students (designee) to terminate at any time the enrollment of a student who proves to be an undesirable member of the student body.
View full policy (PDF, 477 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Statement Regarding Assembly 12-13

The right to freedom of expression is protected by the First Amendment and is upheld by the Arizona Board of Regents and Northern Arizona University. Northern Arizona University supports the free expression of individual and group views on a variety of topics. The creation and maintenance of productive environments within which this expression and exchange of ideas can take place is an important mission for the university. While the issues and topics may vary and at times be controversial, it is the expectation of the university that members of the university community (students, faculty, staff, and guests) would respect the right of others to freely express their opinions, beliefs and views.
View full policy (PDF, 134 KB).

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