Swarthmore College

A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

Public or Private: Private
Federal Circuit: Third Circuit
Head of Institution: President Alfred H Bloom
Swarthmore College
Office of the President
Parrish 205
500 College Avenue
Swarthmore, PA 19081
610-328-8314
abloom1@swarthmore.edu
Website: http://www.swarthmore.edu

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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.

Restrictions on Expressive Rights

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Employee Handbook: Sexual and Discriminatory Harassment 08-09

Discriminatory harassment is verbal, physical, or visual conduct or any other conduct relating to a protected classification, which has the purpose or effect of interfering with work or academic performance, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
This policy applies to all College employees and support personnel and to all College students.
Examples include but are not limited to: (i) epithets, slurs, or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts or (ii) written or graphic material on the College's campus or on College business that reflects hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of sex, race, color, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, medical condition, pregnancy, disability, or any other protected classification.
View full policy (PDF, 53 KB).

Student Handbook: Statement of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Code of Conduct- Harassment 08-09

To count as harassment, such expression must be reasonably regarded as (a) taunting [Derisive, mocking, ridiculing, or jeering expression], vilifying [Forceful defaming or degrading expression with intent to make the target of
the offending expression vile or shameful, recklessly disregarding the effects of
one’s expression in these respects], or degrading [Subjecting one to public shame that normally cause feelings of inferiority or
loss of self-respect] whether (b) directed at individuals or groups (subject to the clarification and qualification below) and (c) where reasonable people may suppose that such expression harms its target(s) by substantially interfering with their educational opportunities, peaceful enjoyment of residence and community, or terms of employment. Further, to count as harassment subject to possible formal grievance procedures, such expression must (d) be taken either with the intent to interfere with the protected interests mentioned in (c), earlier, or with reckless disregard to the nature of the conduct. Such intent or recklessness must be inferred from all the circumstances. Finally, (e) such expression must be repeated and persistent.
View full policy (PDF, 138 KB).

Student Handbook: Sexual Misconduct- Sexual Harassment 08-09

Sexual
harassment includes but is not limited to:
a. Unwelcome verbal or physical advances, persistent leers, lewd
comments.
b. The persistent use of irrelevant references that insult or degrade a
person’s gender, or the use of sex stereotypes to insult or degrade.
Any action, verbal expression, usually repeated or persistent, or
series of actions or expressions that have either the intent, or are
reasonably perceived as having the effect, of creating an intimidating,
hostile, or demeaning educational, employment, or living environment
for a student or College employee, by focusing on that person’s gender. A hostile environment is defined as one that interferes with the ability to
learn, exist in living conditions, work (if employed by the College), or
have access and opportunity to participate in all and any aspect of
campus life. (Harassment creating a hostile environment).
View full policy (PDF, 162 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Student Handbook: Statement of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Code of Conduct- Harassment 08-09

[B]efore any expression can be considered for possible formal grievance procedures, it must be clear that no substantial free expression interests are threatened by bringing a formal charge of harassing expression. This strict criterion for possible formal grievance procedures must be imposed to ensure that the College does nothing that would tend to diminish free expression or compromise principles of academic freedom in the vigorous and often contentious examination and criticism of ideas, works of art, and political activity that marks Swarthmore College.
View full policy (PDF, 138 KB).

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The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in February 2009. 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.