California State University – Northridge

California: Unconstitutional Discriminatory Harassment Policies

August 1, 2009

Executive Order 1097: Systemwide Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation Against Students

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: January 29, 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 advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other conduct of a sexual nature where: …  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.

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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.

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Residence Life Student Handbook: Resident’s Rights

Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: January 29, 2018

Each resident is entitled to certain basic rights that describe the essence of our residential community: … Live free from intimidation, physical, and emotional harm.

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Residence Life Student Handbook: Student Housing Rules and Regulations- Posting

Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: January 29, 2018

No offensive or alcohol/drug-related materials may be posted in a public area or a place where they can be viewed from a public area (e.g. external unit door, balcony, in a visible place from windows, etc.).

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Policy on Time, Place and Manner of Free Expression and the Use of Campus Buildings and Grounds (Interim): Limitations

Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: January 30, 2018

Expressive activity not protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the California Constitution or by this policy, includes … the use of public resources for partisan political activities.

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Residence Life Student Handbook: Student Housing Rules and Regulations- Disorderly Conduct

Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: January 29, 2018

Behaviors whether through conduct or expression which are not civil or respectful and which breach the peace within or around the residence halls or at any residence-hall related function are not permitted.

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Standards for Student Conduct

Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: January 29, 2018

Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive messages.

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Standards for Student Conduct

Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: January 29, 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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Policy on Time, Place and Manner of Free Expression and the Use of Campus Buildings and Grounds (Interim)

Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies, Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: January 30, 2018

Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of a democratic society and is essential to the educational process. Universities have a special obligation not only to allow but also to encourage and support the free expression of ideas, values and opinions, even where they may be unpopular or controversial. CSUN accepts and embraces this obligation, recognizing that such expression may take a variety of forms, such as speeches, signs, written materials, public assemblies, demonstrations, performances and artistic representations.

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CSUN has established procedures for planned events and activities to ensure effective coordination and to provide individuals and groups with a means to reserve facilities, spaces, equipment, and other resources and support services. … These scheduling procedures do not apply to spontaneous events. In such cases it is recommended and preferred that individuals and groups follow scheduling protocols, but they are not required.

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While freedom of expression is allowed in all outdoor spaces on campus, the Matador Square is the place where individuals and groups are encouraged to assemble to exercise the right of free expression unless the space has already been scheduled by others in advance.

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Non-commercial written and printed materials may, without prior written approval, be distributed in any outdoor area of CSUN.

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Cal State Northridge Professor says University is Targeting him for his Stance Against Gay Adoption

November 24, 2015

By Colleen Flaherty at Inside Higher Ed Is academic freedom only for liberal professors? That’s what a controversial professor of English at California State University at Northridge says, as he faces possible disciplinary action for allegedly retaliating against a student who opposed his stance on adoptions by gay couples. “This isn’t even chilling to free speech, it’s made it so that I can’t relate to my students — I can’t trust them,” said Robert Oscar Lopez, an associate professor at Northridge who was accused of discrimination and threatening the learning environment of a student with whom he’d clashed over social issues. […]

Historian Shouted Down at Cal State Northridge

November 15, 2016

Last week, historian and Baylor University professor George Gawrych was prevented from delivering a lecture at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) when students chanted repeatedly in protest until he left the room. According to the student newspaper, The Sundial, Gawrych’s planned lecture was to focus on a book he had written about Turkish army officer Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. As The Sundial reported, “Many Armenians feel that Gawrych’s book ‘The Young Atatürk: From Ottoman Soldier to Statesman of Turkey’ praises a leader who played a role in the Armenian genocide.” The protesting students comprised members of Armenian Youth Federation and the […]

Practical Advice for Fraternities Caught in the Battle for Free Speech on Campus

September 16, 2004

I. Introduction While there is no shortage of free speech battles on college campuses, fraternities have the dubious honor of being at the center of many of the least sympathetic controversies. From Halloween parties where brothers show up dressed as Ku Klux Klan members to fraternity newsletters that graphically relate a brother’s sexual exploits with named co-eds, fraternities sometimes express themselves in ways that are not exactly likely to win the battle for hearts and minds. However, although fraternities may later regret the actions of some of their brothers, they must not allow their rights to be stripped away by […]