School Spotlight

Christopher Newport University
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Social Events and Functions- Major Activities
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: April 20, 2021Major activities should be scheduled at least twelve (12) weeks prior to the event date to allow adequate time for planning and preparations. Major activities include; but are not limited to; events that involve alcohol, require security, or are open to the entire campus community and/or public. Final approval of an... Read MoreResidence Life Handbook: Advertising and Solicitation, Decorating, Posting
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: April 20, 2021ADVERTISING AND SOLICITATION (ALSO SEE POSTING) Bulletin boards are provided in hallways and common areas to keep residents informed of Residence Life and University activities. Residents may post information in approved posting areas on their floor. Posting on other floors, in the lobby, and throughout the building... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Abusive Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 28, 2021Abusive, Disorderly or Obscene Conduct Abusive Conduct is defined as actions against one’s self or others that cause physical injury, intimidate, harass, threaten, or otherwise interfere with another person’s rightful actions. This includes but is not limited to, verbal abuse, abuse via electronic means ... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Obscene Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: April 20, 2021Obscene Conduct is defined as conduct or expression that is lewd or indecent that is not constitutionally protected speech. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Advertising & Posting
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: April 28, 2021The Office of Student Activities offers advertising and posting resources to recognized student organizations. Advertising and posting guidelines are established to aid in the distribution of information throughout campus. Advertising and Postings that violate these guidelines may result in the removal of the violat... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Freedom of Expression
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: April 21, 2021All outdoor spaces are available to students for expressive activities subject to the conditions established by this policy and any other reasonable time, place and manner restrictions as might be deemed necessary by the University. Such use of outdoor areas should be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance, if po... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Acceptable Use of Computing Resources
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: April 21, 2021University communication and computing resources are intended to support the educational, research and public service missions of the University. All acceptable use of these resources must be in accordance with the University Honor Code, with the policies outlined in this Student Handbook as well as with relevant... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, and Retaliation Policy and Procedures
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 28, 2021Harassment is a form of discrimination in which unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct is directed toward an individual on the basis of his or her protected characteristics or statuses (race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, poli... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Title IX Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 21, 2021Title IX Sexual Harassment is conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: … Hostile Environment is unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that is effectively denies a person equal access to CNU’s education pro... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Basic Rights
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: April 21, 2021Free inquiry, expression, and assembly are guaranteed to all students. This expression is subject to the limitations of this document and other University regulations and policies, which are consistent with the provisions of the Constitutions and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America. Read More
Christopher Newport University releases “University Statement on Free Speech and Expression”
December 5, 2018
After gathering input from the campus community through discussion sessions and comment solicitation, Christopher Newport University has adopted its “University Statement on Free Speech and Expression.” The statement, which echoes the core values of the “Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression” at the University of Chicago (better known as the “Chicago Statement”), will… Read more
Victory for Free Speech: Christopher Newport University Revises Demonstration Policy
September 26, 2012
Last week, Christopher Newport University (CNU) censored student speech by preventing a student group, the Feminist Alliance, from protesting a campus appearance by Vice Presidential candidate Representative Paul Ryan. (Another group, the Gay-Straight Student Union, canceled its protest shortly thereafter.) Yesterday, in a welcome development, CNU President Paul Trible admitted his institution’s error and announced… Read more
FIRE Asks Christopher Newport University to Respect Student Protest, Repeal Free Speech Zone
September 25, 2012
In a letter sent yesterday, FIRE asked Christopher Newport University (CNU) President Paul Trible to immediately rescind restrictions on student demonstrations that prevented student groups from protesting a speech by Vice Presidential candidate Representative Paul Ryan last week. CNU’s indefensible decision silenced core political speech on a public university campus during election season—a deeply disappointing… Read more
Democracy on a Ten-Day Delay?
September 24, 2012
As the presidential election season accelerates rapidly both on and off campus, yet another story provides ample evidence of the folly of over-regulating student speech. Last Tuesday, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Paul Ryan visited the public Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Virginia to deliver an address. In the midst of a contentious campaign, one would think… Read more