University of Southern Mississippi

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: Fifth Circuit
Head of Institution: President Martha D. Saunders
University of Southern Mississippi
101 ADM
Box 5001
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
601-266-5001
Martha.Saunders@usm.edu
Website: http://www.usm.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)

Faculty Handbook: Harassment 07-08
Harassment is defined as conduct, based upon a person’s
race, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status, that
has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating or hostile environment for employment, education, on-
campus living, or participation in a University activity.
This policy applies to all faculty, staff, employees, students, and student-
employees with respect to activities occurring on any University property and University-related
activities occurring off-campus, including University programs outside the United States.
View full policy (PDF, 177 KB).

Sexual Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Faculty Handbook: Harassment 07-08
This policy applies to all faculty, staff, employees, students, and student employees
with respect to activities occurring on any University property and University-related
activities occurring off-campus, including University programs outside the United States.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual
nature when: [...] the conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating or hostile environment for employment, education, on-campus living, or participation in a University activity.
Conduct alleged to constitute harassment will be evaluated according to the objective standard of a reasonable person. Thus, conduct that might be objectionable to one person, but that is not severe or pervasive enough to create an objectively intimidating,
offensive, or hostile environment may not constitute sexual harassment.
Types of behavior that may be considered as evidence of sexual harassment include, but
are not limited to:
• Direct propositions of a sexual nature.
• Subtle pressure for sexual activity.
• Unnecessary or unwelcome physical contact.
• Physical interference with work or academics.
• Remarks of a sexual nature about a person’s clothing or body.
• Remarks relating to sexual activity or concerning previous sexual experience.
• Obscene or harassing messages sent via computer or left on an answering
machine or voice mail.
• A pattern of sexually explicit statements, questions, jokes, or anecdotes, whether
made orally, in writing, or through electronic media.
• A display of graphic sexual material (not legitimately related to the subject matter
of a course) in a context where others are not free to avoid the display.
View full policy (PDF, 177 KB).
Student Handbook: Sexual Harassment Policy 07-08
It is the policy of the university that no member of its community shall sexually harass another.
View full policy (PDF, 47 KB).

General Harassment Policies (Learn More)

No policies found.

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

Residence Life Handbook: Community Living- Language Issues 07-08
Freedom of speech does not absolve a student of the responsibility to respect other individuals. Therefore, disruptive profanity, statements of intolerance or verbal intimidation will not be supported and will be subject to disciplinary action.
View full policy (PDF, 62 KB).

Loyalty Oaths and Honor Codes (Learn More)

Residence Life Handbook: Southern Miss Standard 07-08
Choosing to
join the Southern Miss community obligates each member to support
these precepts [...] A respect for language that is appropriate, never obscene, and
neither demeans nor intimidates.
View full policy (PDF, 54 KB).

Mission Statements (Learn More)

No policies found.

Advertised Commitments to Freedom of Speech (Learn More)

No policies found.

Other Speech Codes (Learn More)

Student Handbook: Speaker Policy 07-08
The University of Southern Mississippi will provide a Speaker’s Corner on the Union Plaza, located on the brick plaza between the R.C. Cook University Union and M.M. Roberts Stadium. Individuals or organizations may utilize the Speaker’s Corner for speech purposes on a first-come, first-served basis without making reservations.
View full policy (PDF, 86 KB).
Student Handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities - Prohibited Conduct 07-08
Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct, including expression of profanity, which exceeds the normal standards of decency prevailing in the general Hattiesburg community at large.
View full policy (PDF, 44 KB).

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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.

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.