Red Light School

University of Minnesota - Morris

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 Jacqueline Johnson
University of Minnesota - Morris
309 Behmler Hall
600 E. 4th St.
Morris, MN 56267
320-589-6015
jrjohnso@morris.umn.edu
Website: http://www.morris.umn.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: Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code 12-13

Harm to Person. Harm to person means engaging in conduct that endangers
or threatens to endanger the physical and/or mental health, safety, or welfare of another person,
including, but not limited to, threatening, stalking, harassing, intimidating, or assaulting
behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 1002 KB).

Green light: Board of Regents Policy: Sexual Harassment 12-13

Sexual harassment shall mean unwelcome sexual
advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature when: ... Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with
an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive work or academic environment in any University activity or program.
View full policy (PDF, 290 KB).

Yellow light: Student Life Handbook: Anti-Harassment Statement 12-13

Acts of intolerance based on race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation will not be accepted at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Reported cases will be fully investigated and those individuals found to be in violation may be sanctioned to the full extent of University policy.
View full policy (PDF, 35 KB).

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

Red light: Residence Hall Policies: Public Areas 12-13

Your room door is considered part of the hallway and therefore part of a public area. Thus, disrespectful, inappropriate and offensive postings are not allowed on the outside of your door.

All posters that are hung in public areas of the on-campus housing facilities must be approved by an ORL employee. ORL staff members reserve the right to ask students to remove any postings deemed inappropriate, offensive, or unapproved (if a poster has been found inappropriate by an ORL staff member or if an RA is notified by a resident that they find it offensive). Unapproved, inappropriate or offensive posters will be taken down.
Public areas in the residence halls consist of all lounges, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways and stairwells. Conduct in these areas is to be appropriate, not offensive and respectful; this includes conversations, language, postings and activities. ... Offensive includes (but not limited) derogatory/demeaning remarks, swearing/swear words, private or sexual comments and/or actions.
View full policy (PDF, 800 KB).

Yellow light: Residence Hall Policies: Rights and Responsibilities 12-13

Each student has the right/responsibility to: ... Be free from physical and emotional intimidation and harm.
View full policy (PDF, 800 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Distributing Publications and Information at the University 12-13

In academic buildings and the student center, handout
distribution is restricted to foyer and lobby areas. Distribution of published materials in any
other part of the buildings is prohibited. In other nonacademic areas such as residence halls
and parking areas, handout distribution is prohibited except with written permission from the
appropriate vice chancellor or associate vice chancellor.
1. Outside nonacademic buildings, distribution free zones may be established by respective
unit directors or the physical plant manager. The zones shall be reasonable.
2. No person who distributes handouts on campus shall:
a. coerce others to accept handout
b. interfere with or impede the normal flow of traffic on campus
c. create a safety hazard or contribute to campus litter
d. interfere with or disrupt any other lawful activity of any other person.
View full policy (PDF, 52 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Yellow light: Campus Procedures for Reporting and Responding to Bias Incidents/Bias Incidents of a Criminal Nature 12-13

Bias Incident: Expressions of disrespectful bias, hate, harassment or hostility against an individual, group or their property because of the individual or group's actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, gender identification, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status and/or sexual orientation can be forms of discrimination. Expressions vary, and can be in the form of language, words, signs, symbols, threats, or actions that could potentially cause alarm, anger, fear, or resentment in others, or that endanger the health, safety, and welfare of a member(s) of the University community, even when presented as a joke.
The conduct underlying some bias incidents might be protected speech, but still violate the University of Minnesota's commitment to civility and diversity. Constitutional rights will continue to be protected, and University community members will also exercise the right to speak, engage in educational dialogue, and seek a constructive response rooted in the university’s mission and vision.
View full policy (PDF, 161 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.