Red Light School

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 Tim Hudson
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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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)

Green light: Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 12-13

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, 536 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 12-13

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, 536 KB).

Green light: Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 12-13

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, 536 KB).

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

Red light: Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 12-13

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, 536 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct 12-13

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, 536 KB).

Free Speech Zones

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

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
Dean of Student Development and Leadership 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
designee Dean of Student Development and Leadership 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. Heritage Plaza east of Reng Student Union at Caraway Road
4. Convocation Center, Fowler Center, and Athletic Complex provide several freedom of expression
areas
a. Lawn at University Loop and Cooper Alumni Center next to the Convocation Center
b. Lawn at the east side of Olympic Drive near Kell Field
c. Lawn at the east side of Olympic Drive At the Alumni Boulevard Intersection
d. Lawn at the west side of Intersection of A Street and Johnson Ave. across from Soccer Complex
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 International English Studies Building and Nursing Building - east of Caraway
Road
2. Between Computer Science and Fine Arts Building - Bookout Plaza
3. Outside front entrance of Lab Science East - Bookout Plaza
4. Plaza between Dean B. Ellis Library and Education Building
5. Campus Mall between Ellis Library and Administration Building -near emergency phone
6. North of Business Building
7. East of Physical Education Building
8. Freedom of Expression Areas (if not occupied)
9. Heritage Plaza east of Reng Student Union at Caraway Road
View full policy (PDF, 154 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Green light: Appropriate Use of Information & Technology Resources Policy 12-13

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, 394 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression Policy 12-13

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, 154 KB).

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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.