Northern Michigan University
Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.
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)
Student Handbook: Student Code- Harassment 12-13
No students shall harass any member of the University community. Harassment for the purposes of this regulation shall be defined as verbal, physical, or written behavior which intimidates individuals or groups on any basis including race, ethnic background, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, height, weight, marital status, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status, and interferes with an individual's participation in the curricular or extracurricular activities of the University.
View full policy (PDF, 1208 KB).
Student Handbook: Student Code- Personal Abuse 12-13
No students shall verbally abuse, threaten, intimidate, harass, coerce, bully, or exhibit conduct which threatens or endangers the mental or physical health/safety of any person or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm. Personal abuse shall be defined as behavior that is persistent, severe, and/or pervasive.
View full policy (PDF, 1208 KB).
Student Handbook: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13
Examples of behaviors which may constitute sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct in the University community include but are not limited to: ... Written, verbal, pictorial, or nonverbal communications of a sexual nature which do not contribute to or advance the work, service, or education activity being conducted. ... The above behaviors shall be presumed unwelcome without the complainant communicating that the behavior is unwelcome.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or visual communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... Such conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's employment, public accommodations or public services, education, or housing; or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, public accommodations, public services, educational, or housing environment.
View full policy (PDF, 1208 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
Acceptable Use Policy 12-13
Student behavior on and off campus is governed under the Student Code. All regulations related to communication and use of University resources also relate to Internet usage.
View full policy (PDF, 115 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Student Handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities 12-13
As citizens, students should enjoy the same freedom of speech, right of peaceful assembly, and right of petition that other citizens enjoy....
Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth.
View full policy (PDF, 1208 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.
