Student Handbook: General University Policies- Electronic Mail

Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: May 20, 2016

Displaying sexually explicit, graphically disturbing, or sexually harassing images or text in a public computer facility or location that can potentially be in view of other individuals is prohibited.

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Student Handbook: Residence Life Community Standards- Posting Policy

Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: May 20, 2016

Posting of materials in windows or the exterior of room doors contrary to the educational mission of Residence Life and Colorado Mesa University is also prohibited. Such items include but are not limited to materials that: promote alcohol use, are obscene, verbally abusive, racially intimidating, or demean another human being.

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Student Handbook: General University Policies- Harassment

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: May 20, 2016

Colorado Mesa University prohibits behavior based upon another’s status that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment.

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Student Handbook: General University Policies- Free Speech

Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: May 20, 2016

The rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, as enumerated in the Constitution of the United States, shall be upheld and protected by Colorado Mesa University. The University affirms the rights of students and others to assemble on the University campus for peaceful rallies, demonstrations, and gatherings.

In support of this effort, the University will make reasonable accommodations regarding the manner in which persons may exercise their rights to free speech to assure the orderly operation and safety of the campus community. In the exercise of free speech, the rights and privileges of all persons shall be respected and there will be no tolerance for activities that endanger the health or safety of the campus community, visitors, or guests. Additionally, such demonstrations must not unreasonably disrupt the normal conduct of University operations, impair the learning environment or endanger University property or persons.

In the event safety or disruption becomes an issue for the University, its students, staff, and/or faculty, or the individual or organization(s) involved in free speech activities, this policy does not limit or constrain the University or law enforcement authorities to maintain and protect public safety, as established in law, including moving such demonstrations to a reasonably central campus location that may mitigate safety issues or disruptions to the learning environment.

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Here’s What Happened When a Colorado University Refused to go Along with Safe Space Culture

June 28, 2016

By Jillian Kay Melchior at Heatstreet At least a dozen students complained to faculty at Colorado Mesa University that they were “offended or unsettled” after candidates for president and vice president of student government used the slogan “Feel the D,” new records reviewed by Heat Street show. Such complaints are nothing new — but in an era when trigger-happy college administrators are eager to shield special snowflakes from any possible controversy or offense, Colorado Mesa University’s response was as refreshing as it was rare: They refused to act as censors. Read more here.

Colorado University Faulted for ‘Free Speech’ Zone: a Patio

April 30, 2014

By Bob Kellogg at OneNewsNow A university in Colorado has earned the “Speech Code of the Month” for the month of April by the Foundation of Individual Rights in Education. Colorado Mesa University in western Colorado has designated a concrete patio near the door to the University Center as their “free speech” zone. Azhar Majeed of F.I.R.E. says it’s surprising many schools still have such “free speech” zones because so many “zones” have been overturned by the courts across the United States. He recalls a similar attempt at Southwestern College, a public community college in California “They also had a free-speech patio,” […]

Ruling could test MSC free press

March 6, 2006

The Daily Sentinel A recent move by the U.S. Supreme Court could dampen press freedoms at colleges across the country, especially for newspapers, such as The Criterion at Mesa State College, that receive college funding. Late last month the Supreme Court decided not to consider a case involving the administration of an Illinois public university that demanded to review the student newspaper before its publication. The appeals court decision, which affirmed the college’s right of prior review, significantly expanded a landmark 1988 case, where the Supreme Court distinguished between the First Amendment rights of elementary and high school students and […]

Speech Code of the Month: Colorado Mesa University

April 7, 2014

FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for April 2014: Colorado Mesa University. Colorado Mesa’s policy on “Free Speech” limits students’ expressive activities to just one “concrete patio” on the university’s 86-acre campus. While the university has the right to enact reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, courts have held time and again that onerous restrictions like this one are not reasonable.