University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

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.
Public or Private: Public
Special Status: None
Federal Circuit: Sixth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Mary Sue Coleman
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Office of the President
503 Thompson Street
2074 Fleming Administration Building
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-764-6270
presoff@umich.edu
Website: http://www.umich.edu

» Return to School Overview

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)

Interim Policy on Discriminatory Harassment 06-07
The following types of behavior are discriminatory harassment and are subject to discipline:
Verbal or physical conduct by a member of the faculty or staff that is based upon race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, marital status, handicap or
Vietnam-era veteran status and that:
[...]
c) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
environment for academic pursuits, employment, housing, or participation in
University activities.
View full policy (PDF, 143 KB).

Sexual Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Sexual Harassment Policy 06-07
Sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a
sexual nature constitute harassment when: [...] such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s
employment or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or
abusive environment for that individual’s employment, education, living environment, or
participation in a University activity.
Sexually-related conduct forms the
basis of a sexual harassment claim if a reasonable person, in view of all the surrounding
circumstances, would consider it sufficiently severe or pervasive to interfere unreasonably with
academic, other educational, or employment performance or participation in a University activity
or living environment.
APPLIES TO: All Regular and Temporary Faculty and Staff Members
View full policy (PDF, 338 KB).
University of Michigan Campus Commitment: Sexual Harassment 06-07
The following descriptions, while not all-inclusive, will help you understand the types of behavior that are considered “conduct of a sexual nature” and that, if unwelcome, may constitute sexual harassment: [...] sexual or “dirty” jokes, comments on physical attributes, spreading rumors about or rating others as to sexual activity or performance, talking about one’s sexual activity in front of others and displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures and/or written material. Unwanted sexual statements can be made in person, in writing, electronically (email, instant messaging, blogs, web pages, etc.) and otherwise [...] letters, telephone calls, visits, pressure for sexual favors, pressure for unnecessary personal interaction and pressure for dates where a sexual/romantic intent appears evident but remains unwanted.
Another factor in determining if a hostile environment exists is whether, on balance, the harassing conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent as to alter the conditions of the environment and create an abusive environment, when judged both objectively (meaning that a “reasonable person” would find the environment hostile) and subjectively (meaning the affected individual felt the environment was hostile). In some cases, a single incident may be so severe as to create a hostile environment. Such incidents may include injury to persons or property, or conduct threatening injury to persons or property.
A sexually harassing hostile environment occurs when unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature (see examples, below) creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive working or learning environment or is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from a University program or activity.
View full policy (PDF, 33 KB).

General Harassment Policies (Learn More)

No policies found.

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

Community Living at Michigan: Living at Michigan Credo 06-07
Acts of bigotry are acts of hatred against us all, and they will not be condoned or tolerated.
View full policy (PDF, 32 KB).
Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents 06-07
Bias-related incidents are non-criminal activities that harm another because of that person’s race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital status and veteran status. Some examples of possible bias-related incidents include writing a racial epithet in erasable marker on someone’s dry-erase board, making fun of another person because of the person’s language or accent, or making insulting comments about someone’s traditional manner of dress or geographic origin.
The University encourages students, faculty and staff to report hate crimes and bias-related incidents.
View full policy (PDF, 31 KB).

Loyalty Oaths and Honor Codes (Learn More)

No policies found.

Mission Statements (Learn More)

University Mission 06-07
View full policy (PDF, 30 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Freedom of Speech (Learn More)

Fundamental Tenets of Membership in the University Community 06-07
All members of the University have civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Because the search for knowledge is our most fundamental purpose, the University has an especially strong commitment to preserve and protect freedom of thought and expression.
View full policy (PDF, 13 KB).
Policies for Students: Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities 06-07
Students at the University have the same rights and protections under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan as other citizens. These rights include freedom of expression, press, religion, and assembly. The University has a long tradition of student activism and values freedom of expression, which includes voicing unpopular views and dissent.
View full policy (PDF, 59 KB).
Statement on Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression 06-07
Expression of diverse points of view is of the highest importance, not only for those who espouse a cause or position and then defend it, but also for those who hear and pass judgment on that defense. The belief that an opinion is pernicious, false, or in any other way detestable cannot be grounds for its suppression.
View full policy (PDF, 37 KB).

Other Speech Codes (Learn More)

Policy and Guidelines Regarding Electronic Access to Potentially Offensive Material 06-07
Individuals should not be unwittingly exposed to offensive material by the deliberate
and knowing acts of others. The University is a community of individuals with diverse values, beliefs, and sensitivities. Individuals must be allowed to choose what they wish
to access for their own purposes.
View full policy (PDF, 16 KB).
Student Organization Resource Center - Advertising - Eligibility and Regulations 06-07
SORC will not post advertising materials that:
[...]
- do not clearly state the name and contact information for the sponsoring organization.
[...]
- contain language or illustrations that could reasonably be construed as offensive to any portion of the University community.
View full policy (PDF, 34 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

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