School Spotlight

Central Michigan University
Speech Code Rating
Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures: Responsibilities of Students
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: January 14, 2022A student shall not bully, haze or harass any person or group of persons. Telephone harassment, texting, email, computer or online social media harassment, are included under this policy, as are all other forms of bullying and harassment. Read MoreSexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: January 14, 2022Sexual Harassment means any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwelcome verbal, electronic or physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conduct does not constitute Title IX Sexual Harassment, and when: … such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an i... Read MoreCode of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures: Student Rights
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: January 14, 2022Students have the right to free inquiry, expression and association. … As citizens, students have the same duties and obligations as do other citizens and enjoy the same freedoms of speech, press, religion, peaceful assembly, and petition that other citizens enjoy. In all of its dealings with students, the uni... Read MoreAdvocacy Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: January 14, 2022B. DEMONSTRATING is permitted on the campus outside of University buildings, subject to the following restrictions and limitations: 1. DEMONSTRATING is permitted after 6:30 a.m. and before 8 p.m. 2. DEMONSTRATING is permitted after 8 p.m. and before 6:30 a.m. provided that the DEMONSTRATION either: a. Is registered ... Read MoreSexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Policy: Title IX Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: January 14, 2022Title IX Sexual 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 the recipient’s education program or ac... Read MoreAdvocacy Policy: Distribution of Printed Materials
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: February 16, 2022Except as provided in Article III.A. (university sponsored activities), any person may DISTRIBUTE PRINTED MATERIALS outside of any University building … Bulletin Boards in University buildings, or on campus information kiosks, which are not designated for a particular and specified purpose, are considered to b... Read More
Central Michigan University: Assessment of Security Fees for Controversial Speaker
October 10, 2008
In a victory for freedom of expression and freedom of association, Central Michigan University (CMU) agreed to provide security for a speech by author and conservative activist David Horowitz hosted by Campus Conservatives, the Young Americans for Freedom chapter at CMU. CMU had initially refused to provide security without imposing an excessive financial burden on… Read more
Central Michigan University: Student Group’s Freedom of Association Under Attack
March 16, 2007
In an important victory for free association, Central Michigan University (CMU) revised a policy that absurdly banned ideological and political groups from “discriminating” on the basis of “political persuasion.” FIRE urged CMU to change this policy after students hostile to the mission of the Young Americans for Freedom student group attempted to become members of… Read more
Central Michigan University: Abridgement of Freedom to Display Patriotic Symbols
October 23, 2001
At Central Michigan University, an administrator told several students to remove various patriotic posters (an American flag, an eagle, etc.) from their dormitory. On October 8, a Residential Advisor told them that their display was “offensive,” and that they had until the end of the day to remove the items. As one student said, “American… Read more
REPORT: Great Fakes? Michigan colleges routinely fail to protect free speech on campus
March 29, 2022
Michigan may be known for its Great Lakes, but a new report from FIRE suggests that its universities’ free speech promises don’t hold much water. “State of the Speech Codes: Michigan” examines the speech codes — policies that regulate student expression that would be protected by the First Amendment in society at large — on… Read more
Central Michigan University Eliminates ‘Red Light’ Bias Incident Policy, Improves Speech Code Rating
February 9, 2017
This week, FIRE released our first-ever national survey of campus “Bias Response Teams” (BRTs), which produced several findings worth noting. Among other things, our BRT report identified more than 230 public and private institutions maintaining some type of bias response program during the course of 2016, affecting approximately 2.8 million students. As the report discusses… Read more
More Campus Leaders Address Free Speech Following Election
November 21, 2016
For the past few months, we’ve been covering the statements campus leaders make about free speech at their colleges or universities. In the weeks following this month’s presidential election, campus leaders have addressed their students’ reactions to the results in various ways—some “good,” and others “bad” for freedom of expression. The Good Central Washington University… Read more
FIRE’s Azhar Majeed Analyzes Central Michigan University’s Speech Codes
October 7, 2014
Thirteen years ago, Central Michigan University (CMU) officials forced students to take down posters that could be perceived as offensive to other students, even images of the American flag. Yesterday, the CMU Insider spoke to Azhar Majeed, Director of FIRE’s Individual Rights Education Program, to ask: Do CMU policies still violate students’ free speech rights… Read more
Central Michigan Student Defends Speech of Westboro Baptist Church
April 25, 2012
Just before a talk on campus by members of the Westboro Baptist Church on Monday, Central Michigan University student Ryan Fitzmaurice published an insightful op-ed in Central Michigan Life titled, "Why I Love the Westboro Baptist Church." After clarifying that he does not actually love the Westboro Baptist Church, he explains that what he loves… Read more
This Month in FIRE History: Victory for Freedom of Association at Central Michigan University
April 18, 2011
In April 2007, FIRE won an important victory when Central Michigan University (CMU) reversed a policy banning ideological and political groups from “discriminating” on the basis of “political persuasion.” The case holds important lessons for freedom of association on campus that remain particularly relevant in light of last year’s 5-4 Supreme Court decision in Christian… Read more
With Horowitz Speech Scheduled, Central Michigan Struggles with Free Speech Issues
October 14, 2008
In a victory for the freedoms of expression and association, Central Michigan University has agreed to provide basic security for a speech tonight by author and conservative activist David Horowitz. FIRE has been urging CMU to meet its constitutional obligation not to financially burden speech that others might find offensive. Horowitz had been invited by… Read more
FIRE Remembers September 11
September 11, 2007
Today, FIRE joins individuals across America and around the world in reflecting upon the tragic events of September 11, 2001. As university students and professors from Maine to California host commemorations today to remember those who suffered and died six years ago, we take a moment to look back at how those events played out… Read more
John Leo on Censorship Tactics in ‘The New York Sun’
May 3, 2007
Yesterday’s issue of The New York Sun includes a very telling opinion piece by John Leo that looks at the ploys used by university administrators in their efforts to stifle student speech. “It’s not news that the modern university is censorship-prone, particularly when conservatives wish to speak, but the tactics of the censors keep changing,”… Read more
Victory for Freedom of Association at Central Michigan University
April 3, 2007
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich., April 3, 2007—In an important victory for free association, Central Michigan University (CMU) has revised a policy that banned ideological and political groups from “discriminating” on the basis of “political persuasion.” The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) urged CMU to change this policy after students who disagreed with the mission… Read more
What 9/11 Taught Us About Academia
September 11, 2006
Today, FIRE joins the rest of the nation in remembering the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Five years ago, the events of 9/11 highlighted—in a very ugly way—just how out of touch many universities are with the American public. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when much of America was still in mourning, a… Read more
So, What I Hear You Saying Is—You Aren’t Offended
August 29, 2005
The NCAA controversy surrounding the supposedly “hostile” and “abusive” Native American team names is a reflection of more than a good idea gone bad—it’s a classic case of what happens when a body of administrators enacts policies that are too vague and subjective. As noted by my colleague Robert in a previous entry, the NCAA… Read more
Victory for Free Speech at Central Michigan University; President Rao Defends and Affirms Free Speech and the Bill of Rights
November 7, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI-In a case that had achieved widespread national attention, students at Central Michigan University (CMU) secured a major victory for liberty when the University reaffirmed its obligations to the First Amendment. President Michael Rao, in a letter to FIRE today, made clear that any residential staff who asked students to remove materials from… Read more