Florida Gulf Coast 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: Public
Special Status: None
Federal Circuit: Eleventh Circuit
Head of Institution: President Richard Pegnetter
Florida Gulf Coast University
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, FL 33965
239-590-1055
rpegnett@fgcu.edu
Website: http://www.fgcu.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)

Diversity Statement 07-08
Bigotry, expression of hatred or prejudice, behaviors that infringe
upon the freedom and respect that every individual deserves, and
harassment of any kind transgress the University\'s purpose and
values.
View full policy (PDF, 963 KB).

Protected Group Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Affairs - Non-Discrimination Policy and Complaint Procedures 06-07
(c) Conduct which falls within the definition of harassment includes, but is not limited to, that which unreasonably interferes with an employee's, student's, or applicant's status or performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment and is based upon membership in one of the categories protected in sub-paragraph (a), above. It includes offensive or demeaning language or treatment of an individual, where such language or treatment is based typically on prejudicial stereotypes of a group to which an individual may belong, such as, objectionable epithets, threatened or actual physical harm or abuse, or other intimidating or insulting conduct directed against the individual.
View full policy (PDF, 74 KB).

Sexual Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Affairs - Sexual Harassment Policy 06-07
Sexual harassment is unwanted or gender-based behavior that occurs
when one person has formal or informal power over the other. There are
three elements to sexual harassment:
The behavior is 1. unwanted or unwelcome.
2. The behavior is sexual or related to the gender of the person.
The behavior occurs in the context of a relationship where one
person has more formal power than the other (such as a supervisor
over an employee or a faculty member over a student) or more
informal power (such as one peer over another).
Sexual harassment exists when any of the four conditions are met:
Submission to the conduct is made a term or condition, either
explicitly or implicitly, of obtaining education or employment;
or
1.
Submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as a factor in
decisions affecting that person’s education or employment;
or
2.
The conduct has either the purpose or effect of “substantially
interfering” with a person’s education or employment;
or
3.
The conduct creates an “intimidating, hostile or offensive”
education or work environment.
4.
View full policy (PDF, 57 KB).

General Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Housing Policies: Harassment 06-07
Harassment includes physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion
and/or other conduct, which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person.
Speech protected by the First Amendment is not a violation of this provision. Fighting
words and statements which reasonably endanger the health and safety of any person are
not protected speech and will result in university action. Each allegation of a violation
17
under this provision shall be reviewed with these factors in mind.
[...]
Telephone harassment includes annoying, abusive, or obscene phone calls designed
to irritate, anger, or threaten a listener. Such harassment is in violation of University and
OHRL policy.
View full policy (PDF, 2005 KB).
Student Code of Conduct - Computer Misuse 06-07
University computing and telecommunications resources shall not be used as follows:
[...]
to transmit to others or to display images, sounds, or messages that reasonably could be perceived as being harassing, invasive, or otherwise unwanted.
View full policy (PDF, 50 KB).
Student Code of Conduct - Personal Abuse 06-07
D. Personal Abuse

1. Verbal abuse from any person including lewd, indecent, racist, prejudice, obscene, or expressions deemed inappropriate.
[...]
3. Harassment is defined as: engaging in a course of conduct, including but not limited to stalking, directed at an individual or a group which would cause the victim severe emotional distress, intimidation, coercion or which would place the victim in fear of bodily injury or death, provided that this provision shall not be interpreted to abridge the right of any member of the University community to freedom of expression.
View full policy (PDF, 49 KB).

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

Housing Policies: Profanity & Verbal Abuse 06-07
VERBAL ABUSE
Frequently staff members must confront residents and their guests in order to remind them of various
policies. Unfortunately, residents sometimes persist in being argumentative, respond by shouting, or
make rude, vulgar, indecent or obscene comments and gestures to the staff member. Anytime this is
done within earshot of the staff member; it is considered verbal abuse. The incident will be automatically referred to the Director or designee regardless of how minor the initial policy violation. Major violations
will also be referred automatically to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs.
PROFANITY/OBSCENITY
The use of rude, vulgar, indecent, or obscene verbal or written expressions, while protected by the First Amendment, are considered detrimental to the community-housing environment and are certainly not
condoned. The posting of materials in public areas must be approved by the OHRL staff who reserves
the right to refuse such postings that contain rude, vulgar, indecent, or obscene expressions. All areas
outside the apartment (including the exterior portion of the apartment door) are also considered public
areas, as well as areas inside the apartment that can be seen form the outside, and are subject to
the same restrictions as other public postings.
View full policy (PDF, 2005 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)

Student Code of Conduct - Scope 06-07
The right of all students to seek knowledge, form opinions, and freely express their ideas is fully recognized by the University. The Student Code of Conduct applies to student conduct and will not be used to discipline the lawful expression of ideas.
View full policy (PDF, 48 KB).
Student Guidebook - Student Rights 06-07
Upon enrollment, students are entitled to the following freedoms
and/or rights provided the exercise thereof is accomplished in
accordance with University procedures and does not result in
disruption or disturbance as elsewhere described in the Rules.
[...]

3. Freedom of expression. [...]
4. Freedom to hold public forums. [...]
5. Freedom to hear, write, distribute and act upon a variety of
thoughts and beliefs. [...]
6. Peaceful assembly....
View full policy (PDF, 192 KB).
Vision, Mission, and Guiding Principles 06-07
Academic freedom is the foundation for the transmission and advancement of knowledge. The University vigorously protects freedom of inquiry and expression and categorically expects civility and mutual respect to be practiced in all deliberations.
View full policy (PDF, 60 KB).

Other Speech Codes (Learn More)

Housing Policies: Decorations 06-07
Decorating the front door of the apartment
must also [...] be “non-offensive”.
View full policy (PDF, 2005 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in August 2007. 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.