University Student Life Policy Against Verbal Assault, Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying, and Defamation

Relevant Excerpt

A community establishes standards in order to be able to fulfill its mission. The policy against verbal assault, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and defamation seeks to guarantee certain minimum standards. Free speech and the open discussion of ideas are an integral part of the university community and are fully encouraged, but acts that restrict the rights and opportunities of others through violence, intimidation, the destruction of property, or verbal assault which has the effect of inciting violence or causing undue alarm, even if communicative in nature, are not protected speech and are to be condemned.

Prohibited Conduct

Any of the following acts, even if communicative in nature, are prohibited "separation offenses" (charges that could lead to suspension or expulsion from the university) under the provisions of the University Code of Student Conduct (UCSC) Part VII:

1. Use of force against the person or property of any member of the university community or against the person or property of anyone on university premises, or the threat of such physical abuse (Verbal assault may be prosecuted as a "threat of...physical abuse.")

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3. Bullying, intimidation, and harassment: a person acts with the purpose to bully, intimidate, and harass another by:

• Making, or causing to be made, a communication or communications (including the use of electronic and/or social media) anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm; ...