Red Light School

University of Arkansas - Fayetteville

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 G. David Gearhart
University of Arkansas - Fayetteville
Administration Building, Room 425
Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-575-4148
chancell@uark.edu
Website: http://www.uark.edu

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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: Sexual Harassment Policy 12-13

Verbal sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to:

* sexual innuendoes, comments, and suggestive remarks about clothing, a person's body, or sexual activities;
* suggestive or insulting sounds;
* whistling in a suggestive manner;
* humor and jokes about sex;
* sexual propositions, invitations, or other pressure for sex; and
* implied or overt threats.
Sexual harassment as defined by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and adapted to the academic environment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or written communication of a sexual nature, regardless of where such conduct might occur, when: ... (3) the 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 learning environment.
Written or visual sexual harassment may occur when the following types of materials are directed to a specific individual or when people cannot reasonably avoid seeing them (the list is not inclusive):

* pictures or drawings of a sexual nature;
* sexually derogatory pin ups, posters, cartoons, magazines, or calendars;
* messages, words, comments, rhymes, or other writing of a sexually derogatory or suggestive nature.
View full policy (PDF, 134 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: The Code of Student Life- Student Standards of Conduct 12-13

Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome comments or conduct based on gender that creates an intimidating or offensive working, learning, or living environment and that represents substantial interference with the rights or opportunities of the victim. Such conduct includes but is not limited to: ... The use of phone, email or any other method designed to relay messages or materials of a sexual nature that are unwanted by the recipient.
View full policy (PDF, 85 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: The Code of Student Life- Student Standards of Conduct 12-13

Discrimination against any member of the University community or visitor, or in connection with any University activity through offensive behavior of a biased or prejudicial nature related to an individual's personal characteristics, such as race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
View full policy (PDF, 85 KB).

Green light: Student Handbook: The Code of Student Life- Student Standards of Conduct 12-13

Harassment, abuse, coercion, or threatens by means other than the use or threatened use of physical force. Harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct that is severe and pervasive and substantially interferes with the learning, working, or living environment, and which would detrimentally affect a reasonable person under the circumstances. Harassment is extreme, outrageous, or persistent acts or communications that are intended or reasonably likely to harass, intimidate, or humiliate another.
View full policy (PDF, 85 KB).

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

Red light: Student Handbook: University Housing- The Statement of Community Principles and Respect 12-13

We will not tolerate harassment, jokes, statements, or other behavior, which does not respect the equality and dignity of others.
View full policy (PDF, 102 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: The Code of Student Life- Student Standards of Conduct 12-13

Disorderly conduct including ... uses abusive or obscene language or makes obscene gestures ....
View full policy (PDF, 85 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Use of University Facilities 12-13

If (1) an event is expected to have 500 or more people in attendance; or
(2) if a security assessment is requested by a university official; or (3) if, in the opinion of the
organizer, the event might require security, then, in all such instances, the organizer must contact
the Director of UAPD or the Director’s designee at least three business days prior to the event to
enable an assessment of potential security needs, including estimated costs to the organizer.
UAPD must certify that this review has been completed prior to University approval of the space
reservation. If the Director or his designee recommends that security be provided for the event,
UAPD will provide a brief description of the expected arrangements and estimated costs; such
costs shall be the responsibility of the event organizer as a condition of approval of the
reservation, along with any other required costs.
View full policy (PDF, 119 KB).

Posting Policies

Yellow light: Residence Hall Handbook: Posting of Information in Housing Facilities 12-13

Materials that discriminate against any member of the University community or visitors on the campus through advertising of offensive behavior or events of a form of biased or prejudiced nature related to one's personal characteristics, such as race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age or sexual orientation will not be allowed.
View full policy (PDF, 230 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Information Technology Services: Code of Computing Practices 12-13

No one shall use the University's computing and network resources to: (a) harass or threaten another person, including but not limited to, by conveying obscene language or images or threats of bodily harm; (b) repeatedly contact another person to harass, whether or not any actual message is communicated, and the recipient has expressed a desire for the contact to cease; (c) repeatedly contact another person regarding a matter for which one does not have a legal right to communicate (such as debt collection), once the recipient has provided reasonable notice that he or she desires such contact to cease; (d) disrupt or damage the academic, research, administrative, or related pursuits of another person; or (e) invade the privacy, academic or otherwise, of another person or threaten such an invasion.
View full policy (PDF, 119 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Handbook: Code of Student Life- The Meaning of a University 12-13

No great university is merely a reflection of the society in which it exists. It is a place where truth is freely sought, where inquiry is encouraged, where new ideas and new ways may develop and flourish at the expense of the old. It is a seedbed of change in an ever-changing society. An academic community grows only when its members may act and express themselves freely and without fear.
View full policy (PDF, 54 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in October 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.