Handbook of Operating Procedures: Section 2 Student Affairs- Speech, Expression and Assembly

Relevant Excerpt

2.2.4.1  No person shall make, distribute, or display on the campus any statement that constitutes verbal harassment of any other person. This section applies to all University speech including speech that is part of teaching, research, or other official functions of the University whether in person or not. "Verbal harassment" means hostile or offensive speech, oral, written, or symbolic, that:

a. personally describes or is personally directed to one or more specific individuals; and

b. is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent to create an objectively hostile environment that interferes with or diminishes the victim's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the University; and

c. is not  necessary  to  the  expression  of  any  idea  described  in  paragraph 2.2.4.1.1 below.

2.2.4.1.1   To make an argument for or against the substance of any political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic idea is not verbal harassment, even if some listeners are offended by the argument or idea. The categories of sexually harassing speech set forth in Section VI: Equal Opportunity of this Handbook are rarely, if ever, necessary to argue for or against the substance of any political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic idea.

2.2.4.1.2   Verbal harassment may consist of threats, insults, epithets, ridicule, personal attacks, or the categories of harassing sexual speech set forth in Section VI: Equal Opportunity of this Handbook and is often based on the victim's appearance, personal characteristics, or group membership, including but not limited to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, ideology, political views, or political affiliation.