Alabama A&M University

Location: Normal, Alabama
Website: http://www.aamu.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 11th Circuit

Speech Code Rating

Alabama A&M University has been given the speech code rating Red. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

Red Light Policies

  • Responsible Use of University Computing and Electronic Communications Resources

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: May 9, 2017

    Harassing others by sending annoying, abusive, profane, threatening, defamatory or offensive messages is prohibited.

    » Read More

  • Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 12, 2016

    Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: … Such conduct has the purpose of effect of interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

    …

    Examples of conduct prohibited by this policy include, but are not limited to:

    • Unwelcome sexual flirtation, advances, or propositions;
    • Verbal comments related to an individual’s age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation;
    • Explicit or degrading verbal comments about another individual or his/her appearance;
    • Commentary about an individual’s body, sexual prowess or sexual deficiencies;
    • Leering, catcalls or touching;
    • Insulting or obscene comments or gestures;
    • The display of sexually suggestive pictures or objects in any workplace location including transmission or display via computer or cell phone (for example, emails or texts)

    …

    Harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law, is also strictly prohibited.

    Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to: epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; denigrating jokes and display or circulation in the workplace of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group (including through e-mail or text messaging).

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  • Student Handbook: Code of Conduct Offenses and Sanctions

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 9, 2017

    HARASSMENT (Verbal and/or Physical). The excessive physical annoyance of or the use of verbally abusive language by any person on University-owned or controlled property or while on the premises of, or while in attendance of University-sponsored or supervised events. This policy also applies to social media use. Harassment includes language to physical acts which degrades, insults, taunts, or challenges another person by any means of communication, so as to provoke a violent response, communication of threat, or defamation of character. It includes the use of profanity, verbal assaults, derogatory comments or remarks, sexist remarks, racists remarks or any behavior that places another member of the University community in a state of fear or anxiety.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Conduct Offenses and Sanctions

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 9, 2017

    SEXUAL HARASSMENT. Regardless of sexual gender, personal affiliation, and/or affiliation with the University, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome and unsolicited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal, visual or physical conduct or communication with sexual overtones that the victim deems offensive. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to unsolicited, deliberate, or repeated sexual flirtation, advances or propositions; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; display of sexually suggestive pictures or objects; and/or offensive or abusive physical contact of a sexual nature.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Sexual Misconduct & Title IX Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 9, 2017

    Alabama A & M University defines sexual harassment as any and all unwelcomed sexual advances between members of the same and/or opposite sex. Sexual advances are defined as, but not limited to:

    1. Verbal comments of a suggestive nature;

    2. Visual or written materials that include content that is sexual in nature; and/or

    3. Physical touching without consent.

    » Read More

Yellow Light Policies

  • Residence Life: Sanctions and/or Fines for Student Housing Violations

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: May 12, 2016

    Disorderly Conduct (Includes, but not limited to, use of profanity, public nudity, drunkenness and lewdness.)

    First Offense – $100.00 Fine, letter of reprimand and refer to counseling

    Second Offense – $200.00, 48 hours to vacate campus housing

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Distribution and Public Posting of Literature

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: May 12, 2016

    All postings by student organizations, individual students, or individuals and organizations not affiliated with the University must be approved by the Office of Student Activities & Leadership Development, located in the 209 Ralph Lee University Center.

    …

    Signs must represent a student organization or individual student in a positive way, as they are a reflection of the University, the individual or group as a whole. The postings must reflect the values of the University as embodied in the Student Code of Conduct. No signs may be derogatory towards any person (regardless of affiliation) group, university department or entity on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, ethnic background or sexual orientation. The signs must not contain any profane, vulgar, or inappropriate content.

    …

    Literature may be distributed on University properties or at official University functions subject to the following provisions: … **Inappropriate literature (i.e. literature that is lewd, vulgar, profane in nature or advertising alcohol/drink specials) may not be posted or distributed.**

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Conduct Offenses and Sanctions

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: May 9, 2017

    INDECENT, OBSCENE, IMMORAL BEHAVIOR, AND/OR PROFANITY. Conduct, which is disorderly, lewd, indecent and/or portrayed on the premises of the University or at University sponsored or supervised activities will not be tolerated. Such acts include the use of obscene gestures, improper body exposures, stripping, vulgar language to or in the vicinity of students, staff members, administrators, or faculty or visitors of the University.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Conduct Offenses and Sanctions

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: May 9, 2017

    MORAL TURPITUDE. An act of baseness, vileness or depravity which brings shame to the University and is in contradiction to the letter and spirit of the University’s Code of Conduct, good citizenship and ethics.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Conduct Offenses and Sanctions

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: May 9, 2017

    SOCIAL MEDIA. Students and recognized organizations are cautioned that any material posted on the internet, including social networking sites and internet blogs will not be considered private or protected information. Students may be held accountable for inappropriate content and/or content that brings shame to the University (including fights, practical jokes, etc.) posted in this manner and information obtained from such sources may be considered in cases of misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn, BlogSpot, Youtube, Periscope, etc.

    » Read More

  • Troy art student sues after nude photos banned

    November 1, 2005

    An art student sued Troy University on Monday, saying the school violated his free speech rights by censoring his artwork and implementing a campus speech code that unconstitutionally restricts speech. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Montgomery, contends Troy officials removed portions of Blake Dews’ artwork because it featured female nudity. The university issued a statement defending its decision on Dews’ art. ”The photographs in question displayed male full frontal nudity and the university did not consider the photographs to be consistent with our community ‘s standards,” the statement said. ”This is a matter now under litigation and […]

    » Read More
At present, FIRE does not maintain information on this school's policies.