University of Washington
Branch Campus of a School System
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.
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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.
Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action 07-08
University policies on non-discrimination and affirmative action are applicable in the following ways.
A. The University will interpret the policy on non-discrimination in the context of academic freedom in the University environment.
"Harassment" is behavior by a member of the University community (1) based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran which is unwelcome AND (2) sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it could reasonably be expected to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive University environment.
Residence Hall Policies - Bias-Related Conduct 07-08
The following examples are situations that might be considered bias-related harassment or discrimination:
• An individual directs demeaning or
derogatory statements to you personally on
the basis of your race, religion, ethnicity,
disability, national origin, age, gender or
sexual orientation.
• Students confront you using racial epithets
and threaten you with physical violence.
• You receive harassing or threatening calls or
mail based on your religion or nationality.
Another form of bias-related conduct is
often referred to as “hate speech.” So-called
“hate speech” can be defined as the use of
expressions that are insensitive, demeaning or
hostile in nature, but do not rise to the level
of harassment. Although such expressions
betray the University of Washington’s ideal
of a campus community committed to honor
and respect, the First Amendment of the U.S.
Constitution may protect expression of this
nature. Some examples of bias-related conduct
include:
• Telling jokes that are demeaning to a
particular subgroup classification (e.g.,
gender, sexual orientation, race or religion).
• Holding a date or “slave” auction.
• Performing a skit in which participants use
“blackface” or other ethnic group makeup.
• Posting fliers that contain demeaning
language.
Bias-related conduct is behavior that by intent,
action and/or outcome harms or threatens
to harm a person or group. Such behavior
is usually motivated by prejudice toward a
person or group because of factors such as
race, religion, ethnicity, disability, national
origin, age, gender or sexual orientation.
Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action 07-08
Discrimination on the basis of "sex" includes sexual harassment, which means:
[...]
(2) unwelcome and unsolicited language or conduct by a member of the University community that is of a sexual nature or is based on the recipient's sex and that is sufficiently offensive or pervasive that it could reasonably be expected to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive University environment.
No policies found.
Policies on Tolerance, Respect, Sensitivity, Hate, and Hate Speech (Learn More)
No policies found.
No policies found.
UW Role and Mission Statement 07-08
Advertised Commitments to Freedom of Speech (Learn More)
No policies found.
Guidelines for Use of UW Computing and Networking Resources 07-08
The following are prohibited by law and UW policy:
[...]
Transmitting to others inappropriate images, sounds, or messages that might reasonably be considered harassing. Harassment is defined as the creation of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment.
Residence Hall Policies - Posting 07-08
No posting for any organization/group may be done within a residence hall without prior approval from that hall's Resident Director.
[...]
Any materials that are posted without prior
approval will be removed.
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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.
