Davidson College

Undergraduate Non-Branch Campus

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.
Public or Private: Private
Special Status: None
Federal Circuit: Fourth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Thomas W. Ross
Davidson College
Office of the President
Box 7145
Davidson, NC 28035-7145
704-894-2201
Website: http://www2.davidson.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.

Policies on Diversity and Multiculturalism (Learn More)

No policies found.

Protected Group Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Student Handbook: The Code of Responsibility- Harassment 07-08
Discriminatory harassment involves conduct of an offensive, demeaning, intimidating or hostile nature based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, orientation, age or disability.
View full policy (PDF, 40 KB).

Sexual Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Student Handbook: Sexual Harassment Policy 07-08
Visual Examples
Gestures that are insulting or belittling; Circulating or displaying written or pictorial material that is offensive or belittling (pictures, jokes, cartoons, posters, or reading material); Offensive manner of communication (e.g. leering, lewd gestures, body positioning - blocking a person's path, eye contact that is intimidating, ogling or staring at body parts, making facial expressions); Notes and letters of a personal nature which are sexist, degrading, intimidating, or offensive; Wearing inappropriate or sexually suggestive clothing.
Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and all other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or otherwise offensive nature, especially where: [...] such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering unreasonably with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment. Offensive comments, jokes, innuendoes and other sexually oriented statements are also expressly prohibited.
Verbal Examples
Degrading words used to describe an individual or group of persons; Threats of any kind; Comments or inquiries about dating, marital status, sexual activities, or sexual orientation; Request for sexual favor with threat (implied or overt) of job, promotion, transfer, grade or other academic or employment benefit; Abusive or hostile personal or gender related remarks; Patronizing remarks (i.e. little girl, boy, referring to an adult as "girl", "boy", "hunk", "doll", "honey", "sweetie", "women's work"); Innuendoes, teasing, jokes, derogatory or dismissive comments; Starting or spreading rumors; Whistling, hooting, growling, lip smacking, kissing noises.
View full policy (PDF, 32 KB).

General Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Student Handbook: The Code of Responsibility- Harassment 07-08
Harassment is unwanted behavior that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's or a group of persons' educational, work, social or living activities. Harassment can take many forms. Types of harassment include: Peer harassment involves persistent, intentional degradation, intimidation, or abuse of another person. [...] Hostile environment harassment involves conduct that substantially interferes with an individual's educational,work, social, or living environment.
Examples of harassment include but are not limited to the following: threats of violence; persistent, unwanted phone calls or e-mails; or inappropriate use of sexually degrading language.
View full policy (PDF, 40 KB).

Policies on Tolerance, Respect, Sensitivity, Hate, and Hate Speech (Learn More)

No policies found.

Loyalty Oaths and Honor Codes (Learn More)

No policies found.

Mission Statements (Learn More)

No policies found.

Advertised Commitments to Freedom of Speech (Learn More)

No policies found.

Other Speech Codes (Learn More)

Acceptable Use Agreement 07-08
Unauthorized use of facilities and services includes, but is not limited to the following illustrative examples: [...] harassing or intimidating others; [...] sending unsolicited email to large groups or forwarding “chain letters" [....]
View full policy (PDF, 32 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in March 2008. 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.

Below, FIRE has excerpted policies affecting freedom of association and materials related to mandatory student orientations. Please note that the materials below this line do not affect a college or university's Speech Code Rating.

Mandatory Student Orientation Materials

No policies found.

Student Fee Policies Affecting Freedom of Association

No policies found.

Other Policies Restricting Freedom of Association

No policies found.