Boston University

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: First Circuit
Head of Institution: President Robert A. Brown
Boston University
Office of the President
One Sherborn Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02215
617-353-2200
rabrown@bu.edu
Website: http://www.bu.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)

No policies found.

Sexual Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Boston University Lifebook: Sexual Harassment Policy 07-08
The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination lists the following examples of conduct which may constitute sexual harassment:

[...]
* Sexual epithets, jokes, written or oral references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life;
* Comment on an individual’s body, comment about an individual’s sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess;
* Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or cartoons;
* Unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, or suggestive or insulting comments.
Sexual harassment is defined as sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, whether intentional or unintentional, where: [...] the conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance, academic performance, or educational experience, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or offensive working, educational, or living environment.
In general, sexual harassment encompasses any sexually related conduct which causes others discomfort, embarrassment, or humiliation, and any harassing conduct, sexually related or otherwise, directed toward an individual because of that individual’s sex.
View full policy (PDF, 103 KB).

General Harassment Policies (Learn More)

No policies found.

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

Boston University Lifebook: Nonacademic and Residential Policies - Tolerance of Others 07-08
Respecting the rights of other students presupposes that in the close and diverse society of residence life, student expression of opinion will be respectful of others and will be exercised in good taste and decency. Bigotry, hatred, and intolerance have no place in the residential community. In displaying or distributing expressions of opinion, students are expected to show respect for the aesthetic, social, moral, and religious feelings of others upon whom their views may be imposed.
View full policy (PDF, 36 KB).

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)

Faculty Handbook: Academic Freedom 07-08
Academic freedom is essential in institutions of higher education if they are to make their proper contribution to the common good. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. It is that which justifies academic freedom, not the interest of the individual faculty member or even the interest of a particular university.

Academic freedom is the freedom to engage in research, scholarship, or other creative work in order to expand knowledge, to publish research findings, to teach and to learn in an atmosphere of unfettered free inquiry and exposition.
View full policy (PDF, 49 KB).

Other Speech Codes (Learn More)

Boston University Lifebook: Code of Student Responsibilities 07-08
Specific violations of student responsibilities include but are not limited to:

[...]

Physical or verbal abuse, or assault or the threat of assault to other persons.
View full policy (PDF, 159 KB).
Boston University Lifebook: Nonacademic and Residential Policies: Door Decorations 07-08
The posting of materials on the exterior of room and apartment doors is permitted. However, it is expected that student expression will be respectful of others, will be exercised in good taste, and will not be in violation of the right of other persons to be free from invasion of their personal privacy.
View full policy (PDF, 38 KB).
Conditions of Use and Policy on Computing Ethics 07-08
You must not use any computing facility irresponsibly or in a way that might needlessly interfere with the work of others. This includes transmitting or making accessible offensive, annoying, or harassing material [....]
View full policy (PDF, 101 KB).

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