School Spotlight

Colby College

Location: Waterville, Maine
Type: Private
Tell Colby College to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Colby College has been given the speech code rating Red. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more

  • Colby College Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedures

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 15, 2019

    Harassment is defined as unwelcome hostile or intimidating remarks, spoken or written (including, for example, e-mail, text messages, postings on electronic message boards, voicemail messages), or physical gestures directed at a specific person based on that person’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender iden... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Chalking Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: May 14, 2019

    On occasion, student organizations or individual(s) may seek to promote public awareness on issues and concerns by “chalking” various areas of the campus grounds. Chalking may be done on walkways or roads (not steps or buildings) provided the following guidelines are followed. … Hate speech, harassing message... Read More

  • Student Handbook: General College Policies- Banners

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: May 14, 2019

    Banners may be displayed in select locations on campus with prior approval of content from the Office of Campus Life. Groups or individuals who violate this policy may be subject to fines and/or disciplinary action. Read More

  • Bias Incident Prevention and Response Team: What is a Bias Incident?

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: May 15, 2019

    As expressed in Colby’s Student Handbook, “Colby stands for diversity, for respect for various lifestyles and beliefs, and for the protection of every individual against discrimination. In the classroom and outside, there is freedom to study, to think, to speak, to work, to learn, and to thrive in an environment tha... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Student Conduct Expectations: Code of Student Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: May 15, 2019

    In accepting membership in the Colby community, students agree to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the values of an academic community, including but not limited to honesty, integrity, civility, personal responsibility, respect for the rights of others, and openness in the pursuit of knowledge ... Read More

  • Code of Ethics for Information Technology at Colby College

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: May 15, 2019

    Examples of misuse include, but are not limited to, the following: … Sending threatening messages or other material intended to harass Read More

  • Student Handbook: General College Policies and Procedures- Free Expression

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: May 14, 2019

    The right of free expression — which does not include a right to harass, intimidate, injure or silence others — is essential in an academic community and will be vigorously upheld. Infringing upon the expression of views, either by interfering with a speaker, or by defacing or removing properly posted or... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Sexual Misconduct Policy and Processes

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 14, 2019

    Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, graphic, physical, or otherwise, when the conditions outlined below are present. … Such conduct creates a hostile environment. A hostile environment exists whe... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Colby College president: ‘My responsibility is to foster an environment on campus that supports free inquiry’

    June 12, 2017

    In an email to the college community this past Friday, Colby College President David Greene responded publicly to students who asked Greene why he did not sign a letter criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. In his message, Greene took a strong stand in favor of free speech at… Read more

  • Speech Code of the Month: Colby College

    July 20, 2016

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for July 2016: Colby College in Maine. Colby’s Bias Incident Prevention and Response protocol encourages students to report on one another to the administration for a wide range of speech and expression. Not only that, but the college recently placed its previously-public “bias incident log” under password… Read more

  • The Retreat of the Public Intellectual

    September 22, 2006

    In the recent edition of the alumni magazine from my alma mater, Colby College, there’s an interesting article by government professor Paul Reisert about the cultural marginalization of academia. He writes, There was a time, not that long ago, when leading figures in higher education served as public intellectuals, addressing the vital issues of their… Read more