Yellow Light School

Plymouth 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: First Circuit
Head of Institution: President Sarah J Steen
Plymouth State University
President's Office
MSC 1, Speare Building
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264
603-535-2210
Website: http://www.plymouth.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 Handbook: Harassment (General) 12-13

Behaviors, actions, or statements that have the intentional or unintentional effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic, social, or work related functions are not permitted. This may include behavior that is unwelcome, degrading, intrusive, violent, abusive, or offensive. Behavior does not have to be repeated.
View full policy (PDF, 233 KB).

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Harassment (Sexual) 12-13

The following conduct may also constitute sexual harassment:

1. Unwelcome sexual propositions.
2. Graphic comments about a person's body.
3. Sexually suggestive objects or pictures in the workplace or academic environment.
4. Sexually degrading words to describe a person.
5. Derogatory or sexually explicit statements about an actual or supposed sexual relationship.
6. Unwelcome touching, patting, pinching or leering.
7. Derogatory gender-based humor.
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature are not permitted. The following constitutes sexual harassment:
[...]
Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating a hostile or offensive working or academic environment.
View full policy (PDF, 179 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Handbook: Free Speech, Solicitation, and Distribution in Public Areas of Campus 12-13

Students and non-students are permitted to engage in free speech activities, solicit contributions, and distribute literature (including requesting a small fee or voluntary donation for literature to defray expenses) in the public areas on campus, provided that the activity is scheduled in advance through the Hartman Union Administrative Office ....
View full policy (PDF, 222 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Yellow light: Information Technology Services: Email Use Policy 12-13

This policy covers appropriate use of any e-mail sent from a PSU e-mail address and applies to all employees, vendors, and agents operating on behalf of the University.
Persons may not use e-mail in inappropriate ways or in violation of USNH or PSU policies or local, state or federal laws. This includes, but is not limited to:

Stalking, harassment including sexual harassment, hate speech, or other unlawful activity.
View full policy (PDF, 177 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.