School Spotlight

Delaware State University

Location: Dover, Delaware
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

Delaware State University 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

  • Student Judicial Handbook: Conduct Standards and Policies- Personal Violations

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Verbal abuse – the use of harsh, often insulting language to any member of the University community. Read More

  • Acceptable Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Users are obligated to never use University systems (such as the Intranet or Internet) to engage in activities that are unlawful, violate University policies or in ways that would: Be disruptive, cause offense to others, or harm morale. Be considered harassing or discriminatory or create a hostile work environment.... Read More

  • Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures: Definitions- Gender Based Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Gender Based Harassment- Gender-based harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a student or employee’s actual or perceived sex. It includes slurs, taunts, stereotypes and name-calling, as well as gender-motivated physical threats, attacks, or other hateful conduct. Read More

  • Sexual Misconduct, Harassment & Sex Discrimination: Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Bullying, defined as repeated and/or severe aggressive behavior likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control or diminish another person, physically or mentally on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a protected class. Read More

  • Student Judicial Handbook: General Standards of Conduct- Decorum

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Students are expected to refrain from using four-letter words, obscenities, and non-verbal behavior that is not acceptable under Delaware State University’s standards of decency when communicating (verbally, nonverbally, or in writing) with parents, students, visitors, professional staff, and others on university pr... Read More

  • Student Judicial Handbook: Conduct Standards and Policies- Personal Violations

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Disorderly Conduct: Constituting a public nuisance by being offensive to public order or decency. Disorderly conduct includes, but is not limited to engaging in violent behavior, making unreasonably loud noise, lewd or indecent behavior or an offensive utterance or gesture. Read More

  • Student Judicial Handbook: Conduct Standards and Policies- Property Violations

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Use of computing facilities to send obscene, pornographic, or abusive messages. Read More

  • POLICY AND PROCEDURES: Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Nondiscrimination

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Harassment constitutes a form of discrimination that is prohibited by law. Delaware State University will remedy all forms of harassment when reported, whether or not the harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment. When harassment rises to the level of creating a hostile environment, Delaware St... Read More

  • Student Judicial Handbook: Individual or Group Protest Action Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    All students who wish to organize a group protest, whether or not they are members of a recognized student organization, must follow the same procedures as student organizations to request access to facilities or a location on University premises. The University reserves the right to set limits on the appropriate ti... Read More

  • Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures: Definitions- Sexual Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Sexual Harassment- Unwelcome verbal, visual or physical sexual conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s education program or activity. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Speech Code of the Month: Delaware State University

    April 20, 2018

    FIRE announces our Speech Code of the Month for April 2018: Delaware State University. Much ink has been spilled over the past few days about Fresno State University’s investigation of a professor for controversial comments she made on Twitter. Unfortunately, however, Fresno State is far from the only public school that, despite its First Amendment… Read more