School Spotlight

Bard College
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Campus Computing
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: September 9, 2020Inappropriate use includes: … Sending or forwarding chain letters Read MoreGender-Based Misconduct Policy: Definitions of Gender-Based Misconduct- College Category Violations
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 9, 2020Sexual 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 MoreStudent Handbook: Harassment, Discrimination and Stalking Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 9, 2020Harassment 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 MoreStudent Handbook: Sign Posting Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: September 9, 2020Postings not clearly displaying a sponsor or contact information are subject to removal without notice. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Sign Posting Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: September 9, 2020Bard 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 MoreGender-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, 2020Sexual 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 MoreStudent Handbook: Bias Incidents
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: September 9, 2020While 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 MoreStudent Handbook: Events Registration
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 9, 2020Bard College strongly affirms the right of free speech for each member of the Bard community. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Free Speech Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 9, 2020Threats, harassment, coercion, and acts threatening or causing physical harm are prohibited at Bard, as they are in the public community. Read More
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
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