Northern Kentucky University

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
Federal Circuit: Sixth Circuit
Head of Institution: President James C Votruba
Northern Kentucky University
800 Lucas AC
Nunn Drive
Newport, KY 41099
859-572-5123
votruba@nku.edu
Website: http://www.nku.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.

Restrictions on Expressive Rights

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilites: Sexual Harassment Policy 09-10

The University recognizes that the offensiveness of particular expression as perceived by some individuals, standing
alone, is not necessarily a legally sufficient basis to establish a sexually hostile environment.
Sexual harassment is defined as: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal,
non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: ... (3) such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to create an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive working, living, or academic environment. To constitute sexual harassment, a sexually objectionable
environment must be both objectively and subjectively offensive, one that a reasonable person would find hostile or
abusive, and one that the victim in fact did perceive to be so under the circumstances.
View full policy (PDF, 283 KB).

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Offenses Against Persons 09-10

Intentionally or recklessly causing physical or emotional harm to any person, including self, on
University property or at University-sponsored activities off campus, and includes intentionally or
recklessly causing reasonable apprehension of such harm.
View full policy (PDF, 283 KB).

Internet Usage Policies

Acceptable Use Policy for Technology Resources 09-10

Users may NOT do the following: ... Engage in activities that harass, degrade, intimidate, demean, slander, defame, interfere with, or threaten others.
View full policy (PDF, 65 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Preamble 09-10

[S]tudents must take the initiative in expressing opinions when they feel these
will benefit the University in some way, but they must restrain themselves from the expression of views or taking of
action that will in some way damage or infringe upon the rights of others.
View full policy (PDF, 283 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Free Expression Policy 09-10

As an educational community, NKU adheres to the belief that the freedoms of speech, thought, conscience, inquiry, and assembly hold central positions among the principles defended by an institution of higher learning.
View full policy (PDF, 177 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 2010. 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.