Arkansas State 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: Eighth Circuit
Head of Institution: Chancellor G. Daniel Howard
Arkansas State University
Office of the President
P.O. Box 600
State University, AR 72467
870-972-3030
chancellor@astate.edu
Website: http://www.astate.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)

Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 10-11

Actions, whether physical, oral, written, electronic, through a third party or otherwise
communicated, that have the purpose of creating a hostile or intimidating environment and
which are directed at a specific individual or group.
View full policy (PDF, 605 KB).

Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 10-11

Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion and/or other conduct which
threatens or endangers the health or safety of self or others.
View full policy (PDF, 605 KB).

Student Handbook: Sexual Harassment Policy 10-11

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, request 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 academic or employment performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive university environment.
View full policy (PDF, 605 KB).

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

Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 10-11

The following principles are part of the collective expectation of the members of this community
relative to personal conduct. Civility: Members of a learning community interact with others in a courteous and polite
manner. Members of the community are expected to respect the values, opinions or feelings of others. ... The university reserves the right to discipline students or student organizations for inappropriate
actions that occur on or off the campus to secure compliance with these higher obligations.
Students failing to maintain these higher obligations may be asked to leave the academic community.
View full policy (PDF, 605 KB).

Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 10-11

Disrupting the regular or normal functions of the Arkansas State University Community,
including behavior which breaches the peace, limits the safety or violates the rights of others.
This includes high volume speech that may or may not be offensive or inflammatory in
common areas of buildings such as the student union lobby or cafeteria.
View full policy (PDF, 605 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression Policy 10-11

Distribution of Written Material. Non-commercial pamphlets, handbills, circulars, newspapers,
magazines and other written materials may be distributed on a person-to-person basis in the
following designated areas:
1. Between Chickasaw Building and Nursing Building - east of Caraway Road.
2. Outside front entrance of Lab Science East - west of Caraway Road.
3. Plaza between Dean B. Ellis Library and Education Building
4. Campus Mall between Ellis Library and Administration Building -near emergency phone
5. North of Business Building
6. East of Physical Education Building - west of University Loop West
7. Freedom of Expression Areas (if not occupied)
8. East Side of Student Union at Caraway Road
There are several areas designated as a Free Expression Area for
speeches and demonstrations at Arkansas State University. These areas will generally be available
for this purpose between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Use of this area for
speaking, demonstrating and other forms of expression will be scheduled through the Associate
Dean/Director of Student Center in order to accommodate all interested users. Should any
individual or group desire the use of other areas of the campus and other times for speeches and
demonstrations, a request must be made to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (or designee)
at least 72 hours in advance of the event. Such plans will be considered in accordance with the
principle of content neutrality
1. Lawn near the arch located between Wilson Hall and Computer Science and Math building.
2. Amphitheatre located near the Lab Sciences Building, Education Communication Building, Library and Computer Science and Math Building.
3. Lawn located on the east end of the Student Union plaza.
4. The Convocation Center, Fowler Center, and Athletic Complex provide several free expression areas. They are as follows:
a. The lawn at University Loop and Alumni Building next to the Convocation Center
b. The lawn at the east side of Olympic Drive near Kell Field
c. The lawn at the east side of Olympic Drive at the Alumni Boulevard Intersection
d. The lawn at the west side of Intersection of A Street and Johnson Ave. across from the Soccer Complex
View full policy (PDF, 605 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Appropriate Use of Information & Technology Resources Policy 10-11

Harassing or threatening use. This category includes, for example, repeated unwelcome contacts with another.
Users must not deny, attempt to deny, or interfere with service to other users in any way, including by "resource hogging," misusing mailing lists, propagating "chain letters" or virus hoaxes, "spamming" (spreading email or postings widely and without good purpose), or flooding an individual, group, or system with numerous or large email messages.
View full policy (PDF, 2081 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression Policy 10-11

Arkansas State University highly regards the first amendment guarantees of freedom of speech,
freedom of expression, and the right to assemble peaceably.
View full policy (PDF, 605 KB).

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