Northern Kentucky 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: Sixth Circuit
Head of Institution: President James C Votruba
Northern Kentucky University
800 Lucas AC
Nunn Drive
Newport, KY 41099
859-572-5123
votruba@nku.edu
Website: http://www.nku.edu

« Return to School Overview

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)

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilites: Sexual Harassment Policy 10-11

Sexually-related conduct forms the basis of a sexual harassment claim if a reasonable person, in view of all the surrounding circumstances, would consider it sufficiently severe or pervasive to interfere unreasonably with academic, other educational, or employment performance or participation in a University activity or living environment.
Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or abusive environment for that individual’s employment, education, living environment, or participation in a University activity.
View full policy (PDF, 236 KB).

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Offenses Against Persons 10-11

Intentionally or recklessly causing physical or emotional harm to any person, including self, on
University property or at University-sponsored activities off campus, and includes intentionally or
recklessly causing reasonable apprehension of such harm.
View full policy (PDF, 236 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Acceptable Use Policy 10-11

Users may NOT do the following: ... Engage in activities that harass, degrade, intimidate, demean, slander, defame, interfere with, or threaten others.
View full policy (PDF, 2901 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Free Expression Policy 10-11

As an educational community, NKU adheres to the belief that the freedoms of speech, thought, conscience, inquiry, and assembly hold central positions among the principles defended by an institution of higher learning.
View full policy (PDF, 178 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 2011. 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.