Red Light School

University of New Orleans

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: Fifth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Peter J Fos
University of New Orleans
Lakefront
2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, LA 70142
504-280-6954
president@uno.edu
Website: http://www.uno.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)

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct 12-13

Physical, mental or verbal abuse, including assault and/or battery, by any person who poses a clear and present threat to the health, safety or wellbeing of any person in the UNO community. This may be a single incident or a series of incidents.
View full policy (PDF, 830 KB).

Red light: Student Policies: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

Sexual harassment, as applied specifically to the University, is a form of unlawful discrimination toward anyone within the University community. The University community consists of all students and all employees of the University. Sexual harassment may consist of, but is not limited to, the following:

a. Actual or threatened sexual contact which is unwanted or unwelcome;
b. Threat or insinuation that the victim's response to sexual overtures will affect the victim's employment, academic standing, or other vital circumstances;
c. Verbal abuse of a sexual nature directed at an individual or a group because of their sex,
d. Action creating a sexually intimidating, hostile, or offensive work/learning environment.
Members of the University community might, without establishing a pattern of doing so, engage in isolated conduct of the kind described in section 3 and 4 or exhibit a pattern of engaging in such conduct, but fall to realize that their actions discomfort or humiliate others. When University administrators become aware that such activities are occurring in their areas they should direct that those engaged in such conduct undertake an educational program designed to help them understand that such conduct is inappropriate and unacceptable.
View full policy (PDF, 962 KB).

Red light: Student Policies: Harassment and Discrimination Policy 12-13

A fundamental principle of the University of New Orleans is that there be an environment of mutual tolerance and respect, which is free of hostility toward, discrimination against, or harassment of any person based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, or any other status protected by law. Every member of the university community is held strictly accountable for his or her behavior with regard to this standard.
View full policy (PDF, 962 KB).

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

Yellow light: Housing Handbook: Respect for Persons 12-13

Acts of intolerance and/or harassment due to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation are neither appropriate nor tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 20566 KB).

Yellow light: Residence Handbook: Respect for Persons 11-12

Students must be aware of the rights of others and avoid activities that unnecessarily disturb individuals or groups, or interfere with the normal activities of the University.

This includes, but is not limited to, intimidating behavior, physical assault, hazing, verbal abuse and inappropriate or boisterous conduct. We respect the diversity of residents.

Acts of intolerance and/or harassment due to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability or sexual orientation are neither appropriate nor tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 313 KB).

Yellow light: Student Policies: Freedom of Expression Policy 12-13

The University expects that persons engaging in expressive activities will
demonstrate civility, concern for the safety of persons and property, respect for University activities,
respect for those who may disagree with their message, and compliance with University policies and
applicable local, state and federal laws. The University of New Orleans maintains the right to regulate
expressive activities on its campus through reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. Unlawful,
lewd, vulgar, or indecent activities disruptive to the normal operations of the University, including classes
and University business activities, will not be tolerated by the University.
View full policy (PDF, 141 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Policies: Freedom of Expression Policy 12-13

To minimize disruption of the academic mission of the University, and to control traffic on its campus, the University requires that individuals or groups desiring to engage in public speaking or expressive activity anticipated to draw a gathering of more than fifty persons must reserve the Student Amphitheater.
It is the intention of the University of New Orleans that any portion of this policy deemed to be in violation of the First Amendment be declared severable and that the remaining policy provisions be continued in effect.
The distribution of free literature or printed material by hand is permitted on the sidewalks adjacent to the Student Amphitheter. ... Requests to distribute free literature or printed material by hand in a place other than the sidewalks adjacent to the Student Amphitheter may be made in writing to the Dean of Student Affairs at least three days prior to the proposed date that the individual or group desires to distribute such materials.
View full policy (PDF, 141 KB).

Yellow light: Student Policies: Demonstration or Mass Protest Policy 12-13

Students or student organizations planning to picket or engage in any type of demonstration or mass protest must notify the Student Life Office, UC 260, at least 24 hours prior to the proposed activity.
View full policy (PDF, 962 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Student Policies: Posting Signs and/or Fliers on Campus Policy 12-13

No student or organization may post or carry a sign on campus that: ... Contains materials that are obscene, vulgar, libelous, or a form of harassment.
View full policy (PDF, 962 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology 12-13

[W]hile freedom of inquiry and expression are fundamental principles of academic life,
assaults upon the personal integrity of individual members of the academic community and dissemination of
offensive materials may undermine the foundations of that community.
View full policy (PDF, 548 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Policies: Student and Student Organization Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities Policy 12-13

All students are guaranteed freedom of expression and assembly.
View full policy (PDF, 962 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 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.