Yellow Light School

Saint Cloud State 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.

Public or Private: Public
Federal Circuit: Eighth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Earl H Potter, III
Saint Cloud State University
200 Administrative Services
720 Fourth Avenue South
St Cloud
Saint Cloud, MN 56301
320-308-2122
president@stcloudstate.edu
Website: http://www.stcloudstate.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)

Yellow light: Student Code of Conduct: Definitions- Harassment 12-13

Harassment means to engage in intentional conduct in which a person knows or has reason to know would cause the victim under the circumstances to feel frightened, threatened, oppressed, persecuted, or intimidated; and causes this reaction on the part of that person.
View full policy (PDF, 212 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Prohibited Conduct 12-13

Intentionally, recklessly or negligently
placing any person under mental
duress or causing any person to be in
fear of physical danger through
verbal abuse, harassment (including
repeated phone calls, electronic
messages), sexual harassment, hazing,
intimidation, threats or other conduct
which threatens or endangers that
person's emotional, mental or
physical well-being.
View full policy (PDF, 207 KB).

Green light: Nondiscrimination in Employment and Education Opportunity 12-13

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... Such conduct has the purpose and effect of threatening an individual's employment; interfering with an individual's work or academic performance; or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
Discriminatory harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that is directed at an individual because of his or her protected class, and that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to have the purpose or effect of creating a hostile work or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 143 KB).

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

Yellow light: Residential Life Policy Handbook: Documentation and Disciplinary Meetings 12-13

Any student directing verbally abusive language, insults, or derogatory statements toward a University staff member involved in the normal course of duties, including documentation of alleged violations, will face disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 95 KB).

Yellow light: Residential Life Policy Handbook: Discrimination Policies 12-13

[P]hysical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion and other conduct which threatens the health or safety of any person will not be tolerated in our University housing communities.
View full policy (PDF, 74 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Policy on Public Expression 12-13

St. Cloud State University recognizes the tradition of the "public square"; therefore, the university establishes the following areas for public expression:

* The mall between Atwood and the Performing Arts Center
* The mall area in front of Stewart Hall
* The mall on the west side of Administrative Services Building
* Plaza on the west side of Halenbeck Hall

Other campus facilities may be available for use after receiving approval through established procedures. ... Individuals or groups wishing to use Public Expression Areas or other campus facilities must request use of the space through the Director of University Conferences and Information Center located in Atwood Center.
View full policy (PDF, 209 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: E-Mail Acceptable Use Guidelines 12-13

Do not send abusive, threatening, or harassing materials.
View full policy (PDF, 277 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Policy on Public Expression 12-13

The university will protect the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly as set forth in the U.S. Constitution.
View full policy (PDF, 209 KB).

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Student Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

Student freedoms and rights include, but are not limited to: Freedom of inquiry, speech and assembly.
View full policy (PDF, 205 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

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.