School Spotlight

Bard College

Location: Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
Type: Private
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Speech Code Rating

Bard College 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

  • Student Handbook: Campus Computing

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Inappropriate use includes: … Sending or forwarding chain letters Read More

  • Gender-Based Misconduct Policy: Definitions of Gender-Based Misconduct- College Category Violations

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome, offensive conduct that occurs on the basis of sex, sexual-orientation, self-identified sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, gender-stereotyping or transgender status, but that does not constitute sexual harassment as a Title IX Category Violations as defined above. Sexual ha... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Harassment, Discrimination and Stalking Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Harassment Unwelcome, hostile, or inappropriate conduct directed toward an individual because of their protected status. Such conduct violates College policy if it (1) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, living, or learning environment for the affected individual, or... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Sign Posting Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Postings not clearly displaying a sponsor or contact information are subject to removal without notice. Read More

  • Student Handbook: Sign Posting Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Bard College fosters and supports the exchange of information and expression of ideas. To that end, students are not allowed to remove flyers they find offensive. An example of such a flyer should be brought to the attention of the Office of Student Activities. Postings that violate the free speech policy may be rem... Read More

  • Gender-Based Misconduct Policy: Definitions of Gender-Based Misconduct- Title IX Category Violations

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Sexual Harassment: Conduct on the basis of sex (including sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and transgender status) that satisfies one or more of the following: … Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Bias Incidents

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    While Bard College is committed to the free and open exchange of ideas and to the view that the expression of controversial ideas and differing views is a vital part of campus discourse, it does not condone harassment or expressions of bias or hate aimed at individuals or groups. Speech or expression that is not pro... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Events Registration

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Bard College strongly affirms the right of free speech for each member of the Bard community. Read More

  • Student Handbook: Free Speech Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Threats, harassment, coercion, and acts threatening or causing physical harm are prohibited at Bard, as they are in the public community. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Bard College students cleared of charges after protesting anti-Semitism panel

    March 23, 2020

    Editor’s note: FIRE has completed further investigation into this incident. We have concluded that the disruption of the panel appears to have been more material and substantial than we understood, and the college appears to have been justified in investigating the students who disrupted the panel. While peaceful protest is generally protected, materially and substantially disrupting another’s expressive activity… Read more

  • Bard College Steps Up for Free Speech

    October 4, 2011

    It always feels great to be able to share good news about free speech on campus. So I am very happy to report that Bard College in New York has taken the commendable step of clarifying its student conduct policies to affirm that the college is committed to students’ right to free speech and expression…. Read more

  • Sectarian Institutions and Free Speech

    April 17, 2007

    As mentioned in previous blog entries, George Mason University Professor Jon B. Gould’s call for the dissolution of FIRE (subscribers only, unfortunately) in The Chronicle of Higher Education’s Review section is riddled with mischaracterizations and inaccuracies. Having disproved his example of FIRE’s “exaggeration” of speech codes and pointed out his questionable understanding of how sexual… Read more