Washington University in St. Louis
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)
Sexual Harassment 10-11
Examples of conduct which may constitute sexual harassment include but are not limited to: ... inappropriate whistling or staring; veiled suggestions of sexual activities; ... use in the classroom of sexual jokes, stories or images in no way germane to the subject of the class; remarks about a person's body or sexual relationships, activities or experience; use of inappropriate body images to advertise events
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favor or other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, whether committed on or off campus, when: ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or educational performance or creating an intimidating or hostile environment for work or learning. Such conduct will typically be directed against a particular individual or individuals and will either be abusive or severely humiliating or will persist despite the objection of the person targeted by the speech or conduct.
View full policy (PDF, 129 KB).
Discriminatory Harassment Policy 10-11
Discriminatory harassment is unwelcome and objectively offensive conduct that (a) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or educational environment, (b) is directed at a particular individual or individuals because of the individual's/individuals' race, color, age, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status or disability, and (c) is abusive or severely humiliating.
View full policy (PDF, 116 KB).
Residential Life Policies & Procedures: Harassment 10-11
Harassment is defined as any behavior or conduct that is injurious, or potentially injurious to a person's physical, emotional, or psychological well-being, as determined by the sole discretion of the University. Such behavior is subject to disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 181 KB).
Posting Policies
Advertising and Promotion Policy 10-11
Posting may not make any references to alcoholic beverages or other drugs. Sexist and discriminatory materials are not allowed.
View full policy (PDF, 67 KB).
Residential Life Policies & Procedures: Posting Guidelines 10-11
No reference to alcohol, drugs, or nudity is permissible; no sexist or discriminatory materials allowed.What constitutes sexist or discriminatory materials will be left to the discretion of the Residential Life staff.
View full policy (PDF, 181 KB).
Internet Usage Policies
Computer Use Policy 10-11
Electronic mail should adhere to the same standards of conduct as any other form of mail. Respect others you contact electronically by avoiding distasteful, inflammatory, harassing or otherwise unacceptable comments. (In an academic community, the free and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints preserved by the concept of academic freedom may sometimes prove distasteful, disturbing or offensive to some. This policy is not intended to restrict such exchange.)
View full policy (PDF, 70 KB).
Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Residential Life: Hate Crime Protocol 10-11
A bias-related or hate incident is an incident where the perpetrator engages in harmful actions based on prejudices and biases. When an incident of this nature occurs, it is not always legally considered a crime. Washington University in St. Louis and its members still assume the responsibility of responding to any action that offends or denigrates an individual on the basis of who he/she is or he/she is believed to be.
The victim does have the choice to pursue the judicial process related to the incident.
Types of bias-related or hate incidents:
* Anonymous: These are incidents for which the identity of the offender cannot be easily determined (i.e. letters, posters, flyers, graffiti, telephone calls, etc.).
* Open: These are incidents for which the offender is known (i.e. name calling, open confrontations with individuals, jokes, etc.).
The following are taken from University Policies and Procedures, and can used in judicial cases that are considered hate crimes/hate basis incidents:
III Offenses
#2: Interfering with the rights of other members of the university community or visitors to the University to engage in educational, recreational, residential, administrative, professional, business, and ceremonial activities or other functions.
#3: Physical abuse of any person, or other conduct which harasses, or threatens or endangers the safety or health of, any member of the University community or visitor of the University.
#5: Conduct which is disorderly, lewd, or indecent or which disturbs the peace, on University premises or at functions sponsored by, or participated in by, Washington University or a Washington University Student group.
#17: (if appropriate) Deliberate destruction of, damage to, malicious use of, or abuse of any public or private property.
View full policy (PDF, 102 KB).
Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Policy Statement on Demonstrations & Disruption 10-11
In pursuit of its mission to promote teaching and learning, Washington University in St. Louis encourages students, faculty and staff to be bold, independent, and creative thinkers. Fundamental to this process is the creation of an environment that respects the rights of all members of the University community to explore and to discuss questions which interest them, to express opinions and debate issues energetically and publicly, and to demonstrate their concern by orderly means. Therefore, it is the policy of the University to protect the rights of free speech, assembly and expression by making its facilities available for activities related to the exercise of these rights, including peaceful assembly.
View full policy (PDF, 44 KB).
Discriminatory Harassment Policy 10-11
In an academic community, the free and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints reflected in the concept of academic freedom may sometimes prove distasteful, disturbing or offensive to some. Indeed, the examination and challenging of assumptions, beliefs or viewpoints that is intrinsic to education may sometimes be disturbing to the individual.
View full policy (PDF, 116 KB).
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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in May 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.
