Red Light School

University of Massachusetts - Amherst

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: First Circuit
Head of Institution: Chancellor Kumble R Subbaswamy
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
374 Whitmore Administration Building
Amherst, MA 01003
413-545-2211
chancellor@umass.edu
Website: http://www.umass.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)

Red light: Code of Student Conduct 12-13

Unwelcomed 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 performance or creating
an intimidating, hostile or sexually offensive working or academic
environment.
Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to the
following behaviors when they are unwelcome or unwanted: ... verbal comments of a sexual nature about an individual’s body or
sexual terms used to describe an individual; display of pictures, posters or cartoons that a reasonable person
would find offensive or sexually suggestive.
View full policy (PDF, 1058 KB).

Yellow light: Housing and Residence Life: Community Standards- Harassment Policy 12-13

Harassment is a form of violence that consists of verbal and/or written invasion/violation of another person's rights. It can be racial, sexual, or personal in nature and may be expressed through graffiti, obscene telephone calls, or other means.
View full policy (PDF, 583 KB).

Green light: Code of Student Conduct 12-13

Harassment is defined as repeated use by one or more
students of a written, verbal, or electronic expression or a physical
act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at a person that
places that person to be in fear for his or her physical safety.
View full policy (PDF, 1058 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Registered Student Organization Handbook: Rallies 12-13

Rallies are events where people freely assemble around a common cause(s) and/or point(s) of advocacy. ... Space for rallies can be requested 24 hours in advance, but it is advisable to allow at least 48 hours to make sure that space is registered.
During class hours, rallies can only be held on the Student Union steps (either front entrance or south steps).
View full policy (PDF, 140 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Red light: Responsible/Acceptable Use of Computing and Data Resources Standards 12-13

Posting, sending or publicly displaying or printing unsolicited mail or materials that
violate existing laws or University policies/codes of conduct. Such material includes, but
is not limited to those that are of a fraudulent, obscene, offensive, defamatory, harassing,
abusive, or threatening nature.
View full policy (PDF, 648 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Dean of Students Office: Picketing Code 12-13

All students, undergraduate and graduate, have a right to demonstrate on
University premises provided, however, that no such demonstration shall be
permissible which for any reason of time, place, or type of behavior materially
disrupts class work or other University business, or involves substantial
disorder or invasion of the rights of others.
No student shall intentionally and substantially interfere with the
freedom of expression of another person on University premises or at University
sponsored activities.
View full policy (PDF, 75 KB).

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