Florida State University

Branch Campus of a School System

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.
Parent Institution: Florida State University
Public or Private: Public
Special Status: None
Federal Circuit: Eleventh Circuit
Head of Institution: President T. K. Wetherell
Florida State University
211 Wescott Hall
Tallahassee, FL 32306
850-644-1085
wetherell@mailer.fsu.edu
Website: http://www.fsu.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 - Non-Discrimination Policy and Grievance Procedures 06-07
This policy specifically prohibits any act of discriminatory intimidations by threats of imminent violence against individuals on the basis of their race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, handicap or disability.
The Florida State University prohibits acts of harassment against faculty, students, administrators or staff on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, handicap or disability. This policy covers conduct which presents clear and immediate danger of bringing about injury or substantial abuse to students, faculty or employees, or which substantially interferes with the opportunity of a student to obtain an education, or which creates an intimidating or hostile work or educational environment.
View full policy (PDF, 104 KB).
Student Handbook - Values and Moral Standards at FSU 06-07
Racism, whether in assumptions, attitudes, acts, or policies, is incompatible with the concept of responsible freedom as espoused by Florida State University.
View full policy (PDF, 163 KB).

Sexual Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Student Handbook - Sexual Harassment Policy 06-07
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature directed at an employee or student by another when:
[...]
(c) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with employment opportunities, work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.
Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following, when they occur within the circumstances described in Section (3) above:

(a) use of gender-based verbal or written language offensive or degrading to a person of that gender, whether or not the content is sexual;

(b) inappropriate display of gender-based pictorial images offensive or degrading to a person of that gender, including but not limited to sexual posters, photographs, cartoons, drawings, or other displays of sexually suggestive objects or pictures;

(c) use of inappropriate gestures or body language of a sexual nature, including leering or staring at another [....]
View full policy (PDF, 265 KB).
Student Conduct Code - Sexual Misconduct 06-07
The following offenses, or the aiding, abetting, or inciting of, or attempting to commit these offenses, represent violations of the Student Conduct Code.

[...]

Conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive campus, educational, or working environment for another person. This includes unwanted, unwelcome, inappropriate, or irrelevant sexual or gender-based activities or comments.
View full policy (PDF, 364 KB).
Student Handbook - Values and Moral Standards at FSU 06-07
Sexism, sexual harassment, and sexual coercion of any sort are wrong and constitute a violation of fundamental moral requirements and state law.
View full policy (PDF, 163 KB).

General Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Student Code of Conduct - Harassment 06-07
The following offenses, or the aiding, abetting, or inciting of, or attempting to commit these offenses, represent violations of the Student Conduct Code.
[...]
(c) Harassment.
[...]
2. Action(s) or statement(s) that threaten harm or intimidate another.
View full policy (PDF, 364 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)

Florida State University Mission Statement 06-07
View full policy (PDF, 85 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Freedom of Speech (Learn More)

No policies found.

Other Speech Codes (Learn More)

Student Handbook - The Florida State University Alcohol Policy 06-07
View full policy (PDF, 45 KB).
University Policy for Posting, Promotions, Advertising, Chalking, and the Distribution of Material on FSU Campuses 06-07
The passing or handing out of literature, fliers, posters, advertisements, or any other material is limited to only recognized FSU student organizations and FSU departments and programs.
The passing or handing out of literature, fliers, posters, advertisements, or any other material is limited to the following areas, except as outlined by Section (17) of this Policy: Oglesby Union, FSU Bookstore sidewalk area, Dirac and Strozier library sidewalk areas, and the walkway between the Rovetta and Bellamy buildings.
View full policy (PDF, 132 KB).
Use of University Information Technology Resources 06-07
Material accessible to the FSU community through networks and materials disseminated from FSU should not be restricted on the basis of content, nor because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to its creation. However, University IT resources may not be utilized:
[...]
To harass another person. Users should not transmit to others or display images, sounds, or messages that might be perceived by a reasonable person as being, or have been identified as, harassing.
View full policy (PDF, 68 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.