University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

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: President Robert H Bruininks
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
202 Morrill Hall
100 Church Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-626-1616
Upres@umn.edu
Website: http://www.umn.edu

« Return to School Overview

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)

Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action: Resources- Race and Color Discrimination 10-11

Harassment on the basis of race or color is a violation if the conduct creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment, or interferes with an individual’s work or educational performance. Racial slurs or jokes and verbal or physical conduct motivated by an individual’s race or color are unacceptable in the University educational and work community.
View full policy (PDF, 55 KB).

Housing & Residential Life Guidebook: Sexual Harassment 10-11

The Board of Regents policy on sexual harassment
is as follows: "Sexual harassment"
means 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 working or
academic environment in any University activity
or program.
View full policy (PDF, 205 KB).

Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action: Resources- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination 10-11

Slurs, jokes, and verbal or physical conduct motivated by an individual’s sexual orientation is unacceptable in the University educational and work environment.
View full policy (PDF, 68 KB).

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

Housing & Residential Life Guidebook: Disorderly Conduct 10-11

Hate/Bias Crimes that use language, signs,
symbols or threats that would reasonably
tend to arouse, alarm, anger, fear or
resentment in others or would endanger the
health safety and welfare of a member(s) of
the University community
Participants are responsible for engaging in disorderly conduct when they commit
or intend to commit any of the following: ... use of obscene, or abusive language, or
engaging in conduct that would reasonably
tend to cause alarm, anger, fear, or resentment
in others.
View full policy (PDF, 205 KB).

Policies Restricting Freedom of Conscience (Learn More)

Housing & Residential Life Guidebook: Commitment to Socially Just Communities 10-11

To
maintain individual and group
dignity, it is expected in this community that individuals commit
themselves to being inclusive in
language and actions of all identities, confront acts of bias and
intolerance, and support those
who have been impacted by acts
of bias or intolerance.
Our community members are
responsible for establishing a
safe and inclusive community
by interrupting social injustice,
championing those negatively
affected by bias or intolerance,
and exploring social justice
through the sharing of ideas
and life experiences. This commitment is founded on the principle
of doing no harm and requires
community members to take
responsibility for their own actions
and learning, to address and
report acts of bias or intolerance,
and to be inclusive in language
and behavior.
View full policy (PDF, 112 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Student Organization Handbook: Use of University Facilities & Literature Distribution 10-11

All outdoor space events require significant planning time. For most events, 10 business days is the required minimum in order for your group to obtain space, however, if your event includes any displays or requires security, 20 business days is required. Your group may be required to have a longer timeline (up to 12 weeks) dependent upon the nature and scale of your event due to the large number of permits and approvals that may be required. For any outdoor event, submit your application as early as possible and work closely with a Student Activities Advisor to ensure successful planning.
View full policy (PDF, 67 KB).

Policies on Bias and Hate Speech

Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action: Bias Incidents 10-11

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, but University staff will also exercise their right to speak and engage in educational dialogue. The University of Minnesota's Mission Statement commits us to "establish and nurture an environment that actively acknowledges and values diversity and is free from racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice, intolerance or harassment." Be an ally, and help us achieve this goal.
What do we mean by "bias incident"? Expressions of disrespectful bias, hate, harassment or hostility against an individual or group 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.
View full policy (PDF, 81 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Distributing Publications and Installing Banners at the University 10-11

Under the United States Constitution, freedom of speech is a guaranteed right.
View full policy (PDF, 119 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 April 2011. 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.