Arkansas State University

Location: State University, Arkansas
Website: http://www.astate.edu/
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 8th Circuit

Speech Code Rating

Arkansas State University has been given the speech code rating Yellow. Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.

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

  • Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct- Preamble

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    The following principles are part of the collective expectation of the members of this community relative to personal conduct.

    Ethical Behavior — The pursuit of a higher education is a privilege. Associated with that privilege is an obligation to aspire to a set of principles and values that demonstrate a commitment to fairness, honesty, empathy and achievement.

    Morality — Members of a learning community commit to the ideals of appropriate human conduct. This lifestyle seeks to harm no one and attempts to be a positive contributor in every interaction.

    Respect — Every member of this community should seek to gain and demonstrate respect. Members should hold one another in high regard. Each individual should conduct himself or herself in a manner worthy of that regard, which is gained by decent and correct behavior.

    The learning community at Arkansas State University does not intend to be prescriptive regarding the personal beliefs and value systems of its members. However, this community does believe that it has a right to expect its members to demonstrate personal responsibility and integrity in word and deed.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression Policy

    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    There are several areas designated as a Free Expression Area for speeches and demonstrations at Arkansas State University. These areas will generally be available for this purpose between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Use of this area for speaking, demonstrating and other forms of expression will be scheduled through the Dean of Student Development and Leadership in order to accommodate all interested users. Should any individual or group desire the use of other areas of the campus and other times for speeches and demonstrations, a request must be made to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs designee Dean of Student Development and Leadership at least 72 hours in advance of the event. Such plans will be considered in accordance with the principle of content neutrality.
    1. Lawn near the arch located between Wilson Hall and Computer Science and Math Building
    2. Amphitheatre located near the Lab Sciences Building, Education Communication Building, Library and Computer Science and Math Building
    3. Heritage Plaza east of Reng Student Union at Caraway Road
    4. Convocation Center, Fowler Center, and Athletic Complex provide several freedom of expression areas
    a. Lawn at University Loop and Cooper Alumni Center next to the Convocation Center
    b. Lawn at the east side of Olympic Drive near Kell Field
    c. Lawn at the east side of Olympic Drive At the Alumni Boulevard Intersection
    d. Lawn at the west side of Intersection of A Street and Johnson Ave. across from Soccer Complex

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    Disrupting the regular or normal functions of the Arkansas State University Community, including behavior which breaches the peace, limits the safety or violates the rights of others. Breaching the peace includes but is not limited to high volume speech that may or may not be offensive or inflammatory that can be heard in common areas of buildings such as hallways, lobbies or the cafeteria.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of self or others.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    Unwelcome gender-based verbal and physical conduct that is severe, persistent or pervasive and occurs when: …Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s education or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive university environment.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Residence Life- Decorations

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    The following decorations are prohibited: … Displaying material that is generally accepted as offensive or that is biased against any person or groups so it is visible from outside a student residence (such as in windows or on doors).

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Appropriate Use of Information & Technology Resources

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    Conduct that violates this policy includes, but is not limited to, the activities in the following list: …

    • Transmitting or reproducing materials that are slanderous or defamatory in nature or that otherwise violate existing laws or university regulations. Initiating or propagating electronic chain letters. Inappropriate mass mailing. This includes multiple mailings to newsgroups, mailing lists or individuals, e.g. “spamming,” “flooding,” or “bombing.”

     

    • Displaying obscene, lewd or sexually harassing images or text in a public computer facility or location that can be in view of others.

     

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Campus Signs, Posters & Promotional Material Policy

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    1. All notices and printed materials must carry the name of the organization responsible for distribution. Organizations are responsible for notices or printed materials bearing the names of individuals identified thereon as officers or members of the organization.

    …

    7. Groups desiring to place flyers on automobile windshields or distribute handbills may do so by obtaining advance approval from the Physical Plant and paying a $25 litter fee. (No commercial solicitation will be permitted.)

    » Read More

  • Affirmative Action: Other Discriminatory Offenses

    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    Bullying, defined as repeated and/or severe aggressive behavior likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control or diminish another person, physically or mentally (that is not speech or conduct otherwise protected by the 1st Amendment).

    » Read More

Green Light Policies

  • Student Handbook: Standards of Student Conduct- Harassment

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    Any form of conduct (written, verbal, physical, graphic, or electronic) that is 1) unwanted; 2) directed towards an individual or group of people; and 3) so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that a reasonable person with the same characteristics of the of the victim would be adversely affected to a degree that interferes with an individual’s education or employment performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive university environment.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Freedom of Expression Policy

    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: December 10, 2015

    Arkansas State University highly regards the first amendment guarantees of freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the right to assemble peaceably.

    » Read More

  • Ban on Sagging Pants

    August 17, 2015

    By Jake New at Inside Higher Ed Officials at Henderson State University on Friday defended the university’s decision to ban “sagging pants” on campus, amid concerns from students that the ban targeted black students. While the Arkansas university does not ban any articles of clothing or style of dress in its official dress code, Henderson State employees recently posted signs in the student center stating that profanity, excessive loudness, rude behavior and sagging pants would “not be tolerated.” “Posting the signs was a response to increasing concerns expressed over the past year by students, faculty, staff and community members about […]

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  • Free speech has its limits at universities

    July 13, 2003

    By Tracie Dungan at Arkansas Democrat Gazette The outside ministers would come to campus, stand in front of the student center and do more than just preach. Jack Gillean recalls the visitors making appearances at the University of Central Arkansas at Conway for years until the campus created a designated free speech area last November. “Usually it was during finals week,” said Gillean, UCA’s vice president for administration. During their visits, the ministers “would stand in front of the university and proselytize,” he said. Sometimes, students who happened by would find themselves on the receiving end of insults. The preachers […]

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