School Spotlight
California Polytechnic State University
Speech Code Rating
Campus Administrative Policy 140: Use of University Property and Time, Place and Manner
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 28, 2021The University recognizes that causing discomfort and even causing offense is not, of itself, a basis for limiting free speech. At the same time, all members of the University community should recognize that freedom of expression includes a responsibility to respect the dignity of others, to acknowledge the right of... Read MoreOffice of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Standards for Student Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 28, 2021Students are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, to be civil to one another and to others in the campus community, and contribute positively to student and university life. Read MoreExecutive Order 1097: Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students and Systemwide Procedure for Handling Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Complaints by Students
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 28, 2021Harassment means unwelcome conduct, based on the Complainant’s Protected Status, that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether or not intended, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the Complainant, and is in fact considered by the Complainant, as limiting her/his... Read MoreOffice of Student Rights and Responsibilities: Standards for Student Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: September 28, 2021Misuse of computer facilities or resources, including: … Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive messages. Read MoreDean of Students: Bias Incident Response Protocol
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: September 28, 2021The Bias Incident Response Team is co-chaired by the Dean of Students and Vice President for the Office of University Diversity & Inclusion. The team works to support and provide resources to those who report and/or witness acts of bias in our campus community. In accordance with California State University Exec... Read MoreExecutive Order 1097: Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students – Addendum B
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 28, 2021Sexual Harassment means conduct on the basis of Sex 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 effectively denies a person equal access to an Education Program or Activity. Read MoreCampus Administrative Policy 140: Use Of University Property and Time, Place and Manner
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 28, 2021Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society and is essential to the educational process. Universities have a special obligation not only to tolerate but also to encourage and support the free expression of ideas, values and opinions, even where they may be unpopular or controversial. The Universit... Read MoreCampus Administrative Policy 140: Use Of University Property and Time, Place and Manner
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: September 28, 2021Freedom of expression activities may take place on campus with the following exceptions: Vehicular roadways (without the express permission and in coordination with the University Chief of Police); parking lots or parking structures; inside University buildings, residential housing and facilities; and within 30 feet... Read More
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly): Bias Reporting System Targets “Politically Incorrect” Professors
May 15, 2009
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), which has already once been on the losing side of a free speech lawsuit, suspended an unconstitutional program targeting professors and students whose speech is “biased” or not “politically correct.” The program even planned to let students report complaints anonymously, meaning that those deemed “politically incorrect” might never have… Read more
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly): Use of Disruption Claim to Suppress Free Speech
September 25, 2003
In a major victory for free speech on campus, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) abandoned its attempt to punish a student for posting a flier on a public bulletin board. The flier merely announced a campus speech, but some students at the campus Multicultural Center found the flier “offensive.” Cal Poly agreed to expunge… Read more
Investigating Halloween costumes is ‘an issue of free speech’ — even if universities say otherwise (UPDATED)
October 30, 2019
Colleges and universities across the country are once again investigating students for their choice of Halloween costumes or are implementing problematic policies that threaten consequences for choosing an “offensive” costume. FIRE has tracked the trend of policing Halloween costumes since the mid-2000s. “Halloween hysteria” appears to have died down since its spike in 2015 with… Read more
Cal Poly suspends all Greek organizations after controversies at two fraternities
April 26, 2018
At California Polytechnic State University, a pair of racial controversies at fraternities have resulted in consequences for everyone in the Greek system, even those uninvolved. On April 8, a photo was circulated among the Cal Poly community depicting a student and member of the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha with his face painted black, appearing very… Read more
Cal Poly Confirms Change in Security Fee Policy After Student Group Alleges Double Standard
February 10, 2017
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California will no longer charge student groups security fees for bringing speakers to campus, FIRE has independently confirmed. The news, first reported by the local San Luis Obispo paper, The Tribune, comes several months after Cal Poly says the policy change took effect. The change… Read more
Cal Poly Student Government Changes Rules to Allow Some Early Candidate Speech, But Not Enough
March 17, 2014
Following widespread criticism, the Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) at California Polytechnic State University has revised its election policies to allow students running for ASI positions to be quoted in the media outside of the “active campaigning period,” which begins just 10 days before elections. Previously, students were prohibited from being identified as candidates in written materials prior to the beginning of the active campaigning period, which began on April 13 this year.
Cal Poly and U. of Alabama Students Limited by Election Policies
March 12, 2014
Add this to the ever-growing list of sneaky tactics employed to suppress student speech: At California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and the University of Alabama (UA), student speech about upcoming student government elections may violate election codes at their respective schools.
Student Spotlight: Nate Honeycutt, Going for Green at Cal Poly
February 25, 2014
The FIRE Student Network’s Student Spotlight recognizes students who are paving the way for free speech on their campuses. This month, FIRE is proud to recognize Nate Honeycutt, the president of the Cal Poly College Republicans at California Polytechnic State University.
Speech Code of the Month: University of Richmond
February 5, 2014
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for February 2014: the University of Richmond. The University of Richmond’s Standards of Student Conduct prohibit any “inappropriate behavior or expression,” giving the administration complete discretion to punish virtually any expression it finds inconvenient or unwelcome.
Cal Poly Administration Concludes Party Violated No Campus Policies
December 20, 2013
Last month, I visited California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) to speak to students and faculty about student rights. When I arrived, I learned of a brewing controversy over a party thrown by a Cal Poly fraternity. The party’s theme, “Colonial Bros and Nava-hos,” and the costumes apparently worn by some of the party-goers garnered criticism from… Read more
Cal Poly’s ‘Mustang News’ Criticizes Party and School Response
November 27, 2013
The editorial board of the Mustang News, California Polytechnic State University’s (Cal Poly) student newspaper, wrote earlier this week to criticize both the students responsible for organizing the recent “Colonial Bros and Nava-hos” themed party and those calling for the school to punish the party hosts. The board emphasizes that it does not condone offensive party themes like… Read more
Randolph-Macon Forgets Its Promises of Free Expression in Responding to Party Theme
November 22, 2013
Last weekend, a fraternity at Randolph-Macon College (Va.) hosted a “USA vs. Mexico” theme party. Critics branded it as racist, and the college is now taking action, stating that it is “in the process of holding the individuals and groups involved responsible through our judicial process.” Any forthcoming punishment, though, would run contrary to Randolph-Macon’s broad promises of students’… Read more
Cal Poly College Republicans Fight Against the Impact of ‘CLS v. Martinez’
November 6, 2013
According to the Mustang Daily, California Polytechnic State University’s (Cal Poly’s) student newspaper, the Cal Poly College Republicans are petitioning against a policy in effect across the California State University (CSU) system that requires student organizations to open membership to all enrolled students. (Fraternities and sororities may remain open only to one sex.) Members of the College Republicans… Read more
The State of Free Speech on Campus: Pomona College
February 25, 2013
Today, FIRE brings you the next installment in our blog series on the state of free speech at America’s top 10 liberal arts colleges, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. Up today: Pomona College, one of the five undergraduate colleges that are part of the Claremont Colleges consortium in California. Overall, Pomona College’s speech… Read more
FIRE Cases in Cal Poly’s ‘Mustang Daily’
November 4, 2011
Student journalist Brendan Pringle wrote about several FIRE cases in Tuesday’s Daily Mustang, the student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). Pringle wrote about our cases at Bucknell University, Northern Arizona University, Lone Star College-Tomball, and Cal Poly itself, which attempted to punish a student for posting a flyer on a public bulletin board…. Read more
Greg’s Speech at Cal Poly a Success
February 9, 2011
Greg spoke at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) on Monday about the nonpartisan nature of the First Amendment, the ridiculousness of speech codes, and the importance of combating offensive speech with more speech. An article by Amanda Sedo in the Mustang Daily, Cal Poly’s student newspaper, demonstrates that students really took Greg’s message to… Read more
Student in San Luis Obispo ‘Tribune’ Hopeful for Cal Poly’s Future with Next President
August 10, 2010
The Tribune of San Luis Obispo, California, recently published a guest column by Brendan Pringle, a California Polytechnic State University junior and columnist for the Mustang Daily student newspaper. The article remarks on the retirement of long-serving Cal Poly president Warren Baker and looks forward to Cal Poly’s future. Baker’s record on free speech is… Read more
Free Speech Questions for the Next Cal Poly President
May 27, 2010
After thirty-plus years as President of California Polytechnic State University, Warren J. Baker is retiring. This means that for the first time in a generation, Cal Poly is contemplating who it will trust to take up its mission. Three candidates for the top job reportedly are visiting Cal Poly this week, and columnist Brendan Pringle… Read more
Cal Poly Establishes Neutral Ombuds as Successor to CARE-Net, Resolving Yearlong Controversy
March 22, 2010
Last spring, FIRE announced a victory for freedom of speech at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo when Cal Poly suspended an unconstitutional program targeting professors and students whose speech was “biased” or not “politically correct.” The program even planned to let students report complaints anonymously, meaning that those deemed “politically incorrect” might… Read more
Cal Poly Student Blogger on Adam Kissel and FIRE
March 19, 2010
Cal Poly student Will Taylor has a great blog entry on the site of the Mustang Daily, Cal Poly’s main student newspaper, about FIRE and the director of our Individual Rights Defense Program, Adam Kissel. Taylor writes: What was so impressive about FIRE was that they truly are non-partisan. Kissel said that some of the… Read more
‘Mustang Daily’ Reports on FIRE Speech at Cal Poly
February 24, 2010
The Mustang Daily, a student newspaper at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), has an excellent article about Adam’s speech there last Wednesday. As I related here before Adam’s speech, Cal Poly has a long and sordid history regarding free speech on campus. Adam discussed Cal Poly’s yellow light speech code rating, making the school better… Read more
Cal Poly Suspends Reporting on ‘Politically Incorrect’ Faculty and Students
June 1, 2009
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., June 1, 2009—California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), which has already once been on the losing side of a free speech lawsuit, has suspended an unconstitutional program targeting professors and students whose speech is “biased” or not “politically correct.” The program even planned to let students report complaints anonymously, meaning that… Read more
Progress at Cal Poly, but Concerns Remain
May 22, 2009
Last week, we reported that California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) removed a disturbing bias incident policy from its website shortly after FIRE sent the university a letter criticizing the policy’s infringement on faculty rights to free speech, academic freedom, and due process. The “CARE-Net” initiative encouraged students to report any speech “that is perceived… Read more
Rights in the News: A FIRE-Fight Over Facebook
May 15, 2009
Before heading home for a weekend of sitting out in the sun, standing in line for Star Trek or, in my case, seeing how much Lost it is possible to cram into a single weekend of house-sitting, here are a couple of worthy articles to chew on. Both, incidentally, involve the social networking site Facebook—and… Read more
Blogger Rips Cal Poly’s “CARE-Net”
May 13, 2009
Today, Roger Freberg, blogger and husband of Cal Poly professor Laura Freberg, has a post about the situation at Cal Poly, where, as FIRE reported yesterday, the university apparently removed information from its website about a bias incident reporting program called "CARE-Net" after FIRE sent the university a letter objecting to the program’s unconstitutional aspects…. Read more
After Letter from FIRE, Troubling Bias Incident Policy Disappears from Cal Poly Website
May 12, 2009
Last week, FIRE sent a letter to California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) President Warren Baker about a new bias incident reporting pilot program approved by the university. Several members of Cal Poly’s faculty had contacted FIRE to express their concerns about the initiative, set to become effective this month, which encouraged students to report… Read more
Rights in the News: FIRE Issues Get the Lou Dobbs Treatment
March 13, 2009
As Will wrote earlier in the week, FIRE has seen far too many instances of students’ First Amendment rights being thrown out the window when used to support Second Amendment rights. FIRE has been all over the news concerning the most recent instance of this, in which a student at Central Connecticut State University (CCSU)… Read more
Cal Poly Censors Posters Again
November 28, 2007
FIRE supporters may remember the egregious 2002 case of Steve Hinkle, a student at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) who posted a flyer that was considered to be “of an offensive racial nature” and was then charged with “disrupting” a “campus function” after students confronted him about the poster. The poster simply advertised a… Read more
This Month in FIRE History: Victory at Cal Poly
May 26, 2006
This month, back in 2004, California Polytechnic State University finally capitulated in its efforts to defend the indefensible: its finding student Steve Hinkle guilty of “disruption” for merely posting a flier with the title of book some students found offensive. Cal Poly should be the poster child for how not to handle a free speech… Read more
This Month in FIRE History: Victory at Cal Poly
May 9, 2005
May has traditionally been a big month for FIRE (and this month is no exception, as readers will see in the next few days). This time last year we finally resolved the extraordinary Steve Hinkle case: May 6, 2004 FIRE Press Release SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA In a major victory for liberty and equal rights… Read more
Major Victory for Free Speech at Cal Poly
May 6, 2004
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA—In a major victory for liberty and equal rights on campus, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) has settled a free speech lawsuit. The case involved Cal Poly student Steve Hinkle, who was punished for posting a flier on a public bulletin board announcing a College Republicans-sponsored speech by a black social… Read more
Speech Codes: Alive and Well at Colleges
August 1, 2003
Five years ago, a higher-education editor for The New York Times informed one of us, Harvey Silverglate, that Neil L. Rudenstine — then president of Harvard University — had insisted that Harvard did not have, much less enforce, any “speech codes.” Silverglate suggested the editor dig deeper, because virtually any undergraduate could contest the president’s… Read more