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On this page, FIRE has excerpted policies that address speech and expression. You may download the full policy in .pdf form, below.

Non-Discrimination/Harassment Policy 07-08

Policy Violation on the basis of Race - occurs when differences in employment/academic
decisions are based upon the employee’s/student’s race. Conduct prohibited by this policy
includes, but is not limited to, the use of racial slurs, graffiti, or ethnic jokes that create a
hostile or abusive working environment.

Typically, a hostile environment is created only when the discrimination or harassment is
severe and alters the conditions of the victim’s employment/academic environment. The
occasional improper comment and/or joke, generally, will not create such a hostile
environment and/or be indicative of racial discrimination unless such conduct is severe,
pervasive, and/or occurs on a frequent basis.

Examples of age related discrimination includes, but is not limited to, characterizations,
stereotypes, jokes, or insults regarding the employee’s/student’s age, poor health, and/or
medical conditions, forced retirement, and the use of any derogatory terms regarding age.

Policy Violation on the basis of Sexual Orientation - occurs when employment/academic
decisions are based upon or biased because the employee’s/student’s sexual orientation is or
is perceived to be heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Examples of conduct
prohibited by this policy includes, but is not limited to, offensive language, mockery, verbal
threats, damage to personal property, and physical violence or harassment.

View full policy (PDF, 349 KB).

Student Code of Conduct: Violations of the Student Code of Conduct 07-08

All members of the university community are entitled to freedom from suffering
deliberate hurt, injury, or loss. Access to the university must be available to all in
a nonhostile and nonthreatening atmosphere. These protections include but are
not limited to injuries resulting from antagonisms based upon race, ethnicity,
religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status.

View full policy (PDF, 232 KB).

Non-discrimination/Harassment Policy 07-08

In order for the conduct to be considered sexual harassment, the behavior must be:
• Unwanted or unwelcome;
• Sexual in nature or related to the sex or gender of the employee/student;
• Sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the recipient’s employment or education.
Examples of sexual harassment in employment or education include, but are not limited to, uninvited sexual comments or innuendo, oral, written, or electronic communications that are sexually explicit in nature or sexually explicit questions, jokes, or anecdotes about gender-specific traits.

Policy Violation on the basis of Sexual Harassment – occurs when sexual behavior or requests for sexual favors: [...] Have the express purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work/academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive working academic environment

View full policy (PDF, 349 KB).

Student Code of Conduct: Violations of the Student Code of Conduct 07-08

Sexual Harassment: Behavior that may include but is not limited
to unwanted fondling or touching of a sexual nature, directly or through
clothing; indecent exposure; or lewd behavior; any of which demeans,
intimidates, coerces, threatens, or has the effect of creating a hostile or
offensive environment. Such behavior may include the use of mail,
telephone, or electronic communication to convey messages that are
obscene or intimidating to the recipient.

View full policy (PDF, 232 KB).

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

Public or Private:		Public
Special Status:		None
Federal Circuit:		Seventh Circuit
Head of Institution:		President John G. Peters Northern Illinois University Office of the President Lowden Hall 301 Dekalb, IL 60115 815-753-9500 jpeters@niu.edu
Website:		http://www.niu.edu
» Return to School Overview

Northern Illinois University

Policies on Diversity and Multiculturalism (Learn More)

Protected Group Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Sexual Harassment Policies (Learn More)

General Harassment Policies (Learn More)

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

Loyalty Oaths and Honor Codes (Learn More)

Mission Statements (Learn More)

Advertised Commitments to Freedom of Speech (Learn More)

Other Speech Codes (Learn More)

Mandatory Student Orientation Materials

Student Fee Policies Affecting Freedom of Association

Other Policies Restricting Freedom of Association