Carleton College
A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. 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: Policies Against Sexual Misconduct- Policy Against Sexually Inappropriate Conduct 12-13
Carleton College prohibits sexually inappropriate conduct in any form. ... Sexually inappropriate conduct includes unwelcome sexual conduct that may not rise to the level of sexual harassment, but is still sexual in nature. Sexually inappropriate conduct may include, but is not limited to, crude, obscene, or sexually offensive gestures, or unwelcome sexual comments or communication. For purposes of this definition, communication may be oral, written or electronically transmitted.
View full policy (PDF, 245 KB).
Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response: Examples 12-13
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, deliberate or careless use of offensive or demeaning terms that have sexual connotations or are gender-based, repeated requests for sexual favors or a romantic relationship, repeated and unwelcome letters, phone calls, or emails of a sexual or romantic nature, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal, electronic, or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature.
View full policy (PDF, 300 KB).
Student Handbook: Policies Against Sexual Misconduct- Policy Against Sexual Harassment 12-13
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when: ... That conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's employment or education, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 245 KB).
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)
Student Handbook: Community Standards Policy 11-12
The following conduct is prohibited: ... Physical, verbal or psychological abuse, harassment, intimidation or other conduct (whether willful or negligent) that threatens or endangers the health, well being, or safety of oneself or of any person on College-owned or leased property, or at College-sponsored or supervised functions.
While the College imposes no specific moral standard or creed on its students, each student is responsible for living up to the values cited above and the policies, rules, and regulations detailed below. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
Carleton's Values: ... While the nature of an academic community is to provide a milieu for the expression, criticism and discussion of the widest range of opinions, it does not provide license for bigotry in the form of demeaning, discriminatory speech or actions. Thus, the presentation of a reasoned or evidenced claim about a societal group that offends members of that group is to be distinguished from a gratuitous denigrating claim about, or addressed to, an individual or group. The former is bona fide academic behavior while the latter may demean, degrade or victimize in a discriminatory manner and, if so, undermines the above principles.
View full policy (PDF, 595 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
Information Technology Services: Academic User Agreement 12-13
No other user may deny, diminish or disrupt your access through any means, including: ... distributing material which is demeaning or discriminatory via any electronic mail, bulletin board or other computer network facility ... using resources for commercial or political purposes.
View full policy (PDF, 122 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression 12-13
Support of any cause by demonstration or other orderly means, including picketing and other forms of peaceful protest, is permitted on College premises so long as it does not disrupt the operation of the College, jeopardize its legal status, interfere with entrances to and exits from College facilities, interrupt classes, interfere with other normal day-to-day activities of the College, or cause damage to property.
View full policy (PDF, 131 KB).
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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in December 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.
