California State University – Long Beach

California State University, Long Beach: Censorship of Play Satirizing Racial Stereotypes

September 28, 2016

On August 22, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) cancelled a September 29 performance of the play N*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK (N*W*C*) due to apparent opposition to its deliberately provocative content.

California State University, Long Beach: Moratorium on New Student Organizations

August 18, 2016

As early as September 2015, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) imposed a moratorium on recognizing any new student organization.

California: Unconstitutional Discriminatory Harassment Policies

August 1, 2009

Campus Regulations: Standards for Student Conduct

Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 6, 2018

Students 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.

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Executive 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 Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 6, 2018

Harassment 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 ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University.

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Sexual Harassment, a form of Sex Discrimination, is unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that includes, but is not limited to Sexual Violence, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and indecent exposure where:

1. Submission to, or rejection of, the conduct is explicitly or implicitly used as the basis for any decision affecting a Complainant’s academic status or progress, or access to benefits and services, honors, programs, or activities available at or through the University; or

2. The conduct 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 his or her ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the University; or

3. The conduct 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 creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. Sexual Harassment also includes acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on gender or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.

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Sexual Harassment also includes acts of verbal, non-verbal or physical aggression, intimidation or hostility based on Gender or sex-stereotyping, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature. This policy covers unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.

While romantic, sexual, intimate, personal or social relationships between members of the University community may begin as consensual, they may evolve into situations that lead to Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct, including Dating or Domestic Violence, or Stalking, subject to this policy.

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Campus Regulations: Standards for Student Conduct

Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: September 5, 2018

Misuse of computer facilities or resources, including: … use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive messages.

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Campus Regulations: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 6, 2018

Prohibited Harassment means unwelcome conduct, engaged in because of a protected status that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that its effect, whether intended or not, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the student, or is in fact considered by the student, as limiting the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by the University.

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Campus Regulations: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 6, 2018

Prohibited Sexual Harassment, a form of Sex Discrimination, is unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that includes but is not limited to sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other conduct of a sexual nature where

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2. the conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that its effect, whether intended or not, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the student, or is in fact considered by the student, as limiting the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from services, activities, or opportunities offered by the University; or

3. the conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect, whether intended or not, could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the student, or is in fact considered by the student, as creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

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Campus Regulations: Time, Place and Manner- Free Speech, Expression, Demonstrations, Protests, Rallies and Other Public Assemblies on University Property

Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: September 6, 2018

Individuals and groups may assemble on University property generally open to the public (as specified in this regulation) to engage in non-amplified speech and expression, including the solicitation of signatures on noncommercial petitions, provided such activity does not disrupt the functions, operations and events of the University or interfere with the free speech rights of others, as previously addressed in this regulation, including, but not limited to, compelling persons to be an involuntary audience or jeopardize the safety of persons and property. The exercise of free speech and assembly rights shall not:

a. interfere with class instruction or other scheduled academic, educational, or cultural/arts program or with the use of the University Library;
b. obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or otherwise endanger persons or property;
c. be conducted in or on campus parking lots, parking structures, driveways, crosswalks, streets, roadways, and paths of pedestrian travel;
d. employ sound amplification or create noise that disrupts University activities or interferes with the exercise of free speech by others (please refer to amplification regulation);
e. harass, intimidate, or impede the movement of persons;
f. create or cause unsafe congestion around stairs and escalators

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Campus Regulations: Standards for Student Conduct

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 5, 2018

Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person within or related to the university community, including physical abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, or sexual misconduct.

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Campus Regulations: Time, Place and Manner- Distribution of Printed Non-Commercial Material

Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: September 6, 2018

Non-commercial printed material may be distributed on University property or at official University functions subject to the following provisions:
1. On University grounds that are generally open to the public (as specified in this regulation), literature may be distributed as follows:
a. The free flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic is not obstructed or impeded;
b. Printed material is not forced upon others;
c. Printed material shall not be placed on or in vehicles parked on University property;
d. Persons distributing printed material shall be responsible to ensure the printed material does not litter the area of distribution;
e. Tables and portable (i.e., hand carried) displays used to facilitate distribution may be placed on only paved pedestrian walkways, and may not block walkways or entrances to buildings or otherwise impede the free flow of traffic. Tables or portable displays must be attended at all times by the individuals or groups sponsoring the distribution, and such individuals or groups must ensure the printed material they are distributing does not litter the area.

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Acceptable Use of CSULB Electronic Communications Systems and Services

Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: September 6, 2018

Examples of prohibited use include but are not limited to: … Transmission of threats, harassment or defamation

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CSULB makes ‘worst of the worst’ list for free speech

February 22, 2017

By Andrew Edwards at Press-Telegram The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, an advocacy group, named Cal State Long Beach to its list of 10 “worst of the worst” U.S. campuses for free speech… Read more here.

Cal State Long Beach, Other Colleges, Under Fire for Speech Policies

November 2, 2016

By Josh Dulaney at Long Beach Press Telegram Three area campuses in the Cal State University system and one University of California school in the region received warnings this week from a free speech group that says some of their institutional policies restrict student and faculty expression… Read more here.

NCAC, FIRE & DLDF Letter to Cal State University Long Beach: Re-Instate Play About Race

September 28, 2016

By Joy Garnett at National Coalition Against Censorship NCAC’s Arts Advocacy Program has sent a joint letter to California State University Long Beach (CSULB) in response to the university’s recent cancellation of the comedy N*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK (N*W*C) at the University’s Carpenter Performing Arts Center. The letter strongly urges CSULB to reverse its decision… Read more here.

After Blocking Pro-Life and Pro-Gun Student Groups For a Year, CSU-Long Beach Backs Down

August 19, 2016

By Greg Piper at The College Fix As it enters the new school year, California State University-Long Beach could sure work on its transparency… Read more here.

Conservatives Push for Political Balance on Campus

January 26, 2005

Conservative lawmakers and activists are seeking to whip up interest in at least nine states in countering what they say is an overwhelming liberal bias at the nation’s colleges and universities.But some free speech advocates and university officials say that efforts to mandate intellectual diversity are misguided and could have the opposite effect and suppress any speech that might be controversial. Legislators in the Republican-controlled statehouses of Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah, as well as Democratically-controlled Washington state, are expected to consider an “Academic Bill of Rights,” a proposal that seeks to keep students’ grades from being affected […]

Cal State Long Beach’s response to anti-police brutality exhibit and firing of director raise questions about artistic freedom

September 21, 2018

At California State University, Long Beach, artist lauren woods’ exhibit on racism and police violence, “American Monument,” has been “paused” but “not pulled” at its opening. The artist announced a halt to the installation in response to the firing of University Art Museum executive director Kimberli Meyer. Additionally, woods reports that, in the months prior the opening of “American Monument,” administrators and even local police requested to review the contents of the project. FIRE is closely watching these developments. Administrative and police review “American Monument,” which woods worked on for nearly a year, presents 25 record players featuring audio from […]

REPORT: Artists clash with campus censors

July 10, 2018

Art purged for being “one-sided,” among other excuses Censors, often not understanding the message, ban art rather than grapple with its meaning PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 2018 — Art censorship is nothing new. Spanish conquistadors smashed ceramics of ancient Peruvian cultures that portrayed gay and lesbian sex. The Roman Catholic Church of the 15th century was so intent on covering up penises that for decades even Michelangelo’s David wore a garland of leaves around his waist. But a new report from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education shows that art censorship remains alive and well, even on today’s college campuses, […]

FIRE Announces America’s 10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech: 2017

February 22, 2017

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22, 2017—More than 92 percent of American colleges maintain speech codes that either clearly restrict—or could too easily be used to restrict—free speech. Each year, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) takes a closer look at campus censorship to identify America’s 10 worst colleges for free speech. The 2017 list of the 10 worst colleges for free speech—published today with detailed descriptions at The Huffington Post—includes both public and private institutions. Public colleges and universities are bound by the First Amendment. Private colleges on this list are not required by the Constitution to respect student and […]

FIRE, NCAC, and DLDF Demand Cal State Long Beach Reverse Censorship of Play

September 28, 2016

LONG BEACH, Calif., September 28, 2016—As issues of race and justice take on particular urgency in the national conversation, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), and the Dramatists Legal Defense Fund (DLDF) are calling on California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) to reverse its censorship of a play that seeks to shed light on these important topics. Late last month, CSULB cancelled a September 29 performance of the play N*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK (N*W*C*) due to apparent opposition to its deliberately provocative content. The satirical play is performed by Asian-American, Hispanic-American, and African-American […]

CSU Long Beach Administrators Refuse to Recognize Any New Student Organization [UPDATED]

August 19, 2016

Yesterday marked the first day of the fall semester at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), but students there cannot form new student organizations due to administrators’ “moratorium” on recognizing new organizations—a “temporary” restriction that has lasted since at least September of 2015. The unexplained moratorium means that students who want to start a new organization—whether it’s a political group or a chapter of the Make-a-Wish foundation—are added to a list, but cannot use campus facilities or ask for a dime of the fees students pay to the student government. FIRE is calling on CSULB to resume recognizing student groups, […]

Cal State’s Mass Derecognition of Christian Student Groups Draws Criticism from FIRE Chairman, Board Member

September 19, 2014

To close out a busy week here at FIRE, FIRE Chairman and Co-founder Harvey Silverglate has an insightful opinion piece in today’s Wall Street Journal about the California State University System’s recent decision to withdraw recognition from the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the system’s 23 campuses, which enroll nearly 447,000 students. As Harvey writes, Cal State’s decision to enforce a so-called “all-comers” policy—under which all student groups must accept all students as voting members and leaders, regardless of belief—is a stinging defeat for freedom of association on campus: The new policy has insidious implications. Any student may attend IVCF meetings […]

At CSU Long Beach, Petition Drive Nearly Results in Firing of Student Editor

May 23, 2011

A drama over press freedom has come to an end at California State University – Long Beach (CSULB) recently, when members of CSULB’s student government thought better of a petition to remove Kevin O’Brien as editor in chief of the Union Weekly, a student fee-funded opinion and humor magazine, on the basis of articles found offensive by members of the CSULB community.  As the Daily 49er, an independent CSULB publication, wrote of a recent protest against the Union Weekly: The protest stemmed from two Union Weekly articles. The first was a review critical of the 41st annual Pow Wow American Indian gathering. The article’s author and Union […]