Learn More About Speech Codes: Other Speech Codes

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

Summary

This catch-all category includes policies that attempt to regulate student behavior or expression, but unwittingly impose on protected speech. These policies can fall under a variety of topics including political activity, student organization regulations, and disorderly conduct. 

Consult FIRE’s Model Speech Policies for College Campuses webpage to explore policies from various institutions in our Spotlight database that earn a “green light” rating in each category.

Common Mistakes

Undefined terms

Banning “annoyance,” “emotional harm,” or other vague terms give students little notice of how to comply with the policy. When possible, institutions should always define terms or refer to existing polices, such as those regulating harassment or other unlawful conduct. 

Incorrect statements of law

On occasion, universities will attempt to prohibit legitimately unlawful conduct or expression, like true threats of violence, incitement, or other categories of unprotected expression, but fall short by failing to track the correct legal standard.

Policy Examples

Yellow light

Oberlin College: Student Conduct: Student Bill of Rights

Members of the college are expected to take responsibility for their expressions; anonymous expressions are inimical to the free and open exchange of ideas.

Green light

University of North Carolina - Pembroke: REG 11.30.01: Student Code of Conduct Regulation

Disruption of Normal University Activities: Interfering with or inciting others to interfere with normal University activities and services, including, but not limited to, teaching, studying, research, the free expression of ideas, speeches and other public or private events, University administration, and fire, police, or other emergency services. Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to, student action taken that obstructs or disrupts any normal operation or function of the University, including sound amplification and anything prohibiting free ingress and egress of buildings on campus.

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