School Spotlight
Delta State University
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Title IX Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Assault, and Sexual Harassment Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: June 29, 2021Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent that it denies or limits or is likely to deny or limit a reasonable person’s ability to participate in or benefit from University programs, services, opportunities or activities. Sexual Harassment can include verbal or non-verb... Read MoreUniversity Policies Manual: Appropriate Use of Computing and Network Resources
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: June 29, 2021Free expression of ideas is central to the academic process. However, the University may remove any electronic information from its systems if it is determined that: The presence of the information involves illegality (e.g., copyrighted material, software used in violation of a license agreement). The information i... Read MoreFreedom of Speech and Assembly
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: June 29, 2021Reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions will be enforced. However, the enforcement will not depend, in any way, on the subject matter involved in an expressive activity. It is strongly suggested that all activities be registered with the Vice President for Student Affairs’ office 48 hours in advance in order... Read MoreTitle IX: Definitions/Terminology- Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: June 29, 2021Sexual Harassment – conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: An employee conditioning educational benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo); Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive ... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Code of Conduct – Offenses Against Persons
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: June 29, 2021Physical abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, sexual contact without permission, stalking, coercion and other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person. This section is intended to include any contact or communication that threatens, harasses or injures a person Read MoreHandbook for Student Organizations: Posting of Fliers and Banners
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: June 29, 2021Individuals and organizations may post fliers only on billboards and/or designated areas on the inside of university buildings. Materials may be removed if they are found to be in violation of state or federal law or other applicable university policies. … The following types of messages may not be advertised ... Read MoreUniversity Policies Manual: Student Rights
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: June 29, 2021All members of the Delta State University community have certain rights and responsibilities. These include: … The right to dissent. In other words, to carry on individual or organized activity which expresses grievances held against, or changes desired. This activity is carried on within the limits of the dem... Read More
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning: Tenure Review Considers “Effectiveness in Communications,” “Collegiality”
April 27, 2022
On April 21, 2022, the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, which oversees eight Mississippi public universities, amended its tenure review process to grant university presidents the authority to award tenure and to include “effectiveness … and integrity in communications” and “collegiality” as mandatory criteria for consideration. On April 27, FIRE and PEN America… Read more
FIRE, PEN America, condemn new rule forcing some Mississippi universities to consider ‘collegiality’ in tenure review
April 27, 2022
FIRE and PEN America wrote the board of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning today to object to a new rule that forces presidents at eight of the state’s public universities to consider vague standards like “collegiality” when granting faculty tenure. The rule, quietly adopted last Thursday, says college presidents at IHL universities “shall take… Read more
50 universities now earn FIRE’s highest rating for free speech
July 16, 2019
Last week, FIRE awarded Mississippi’s Delta State University our “green light” rating, meaning the school does not maintain any written policies that seriously infringe on student speech rights. Here at FIRE, we celebrate every time university leaders commit to respecting free speech on campus, but this green light is extra special: 50 college and universities… Read more
In Mississippi, ‘The Clarion-Ledger’ Reports on Dangers of State Colleges’ Speech Codes
August 16, 2010
In today’s edition of The Clarion-Ledger, the Jackson, Mississippi newspaper reports on speech codes maintained at public colleges statewide. Spurred by FIRE’s recent victory at nearby Hinds Community College, reporter Elizabeth Crisp writes: Students at Mississippi universities may have to watch what they say more than those in other states because of policies that free-speech… Read more
Speech Code of the Month: Delta State University
July 1, 2008
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for July 2008: Delta State University. Delta State’s harassment policy provides that harassment occurs when the work or learning environment “is one that a reasonable person would objectively find hostile or abusive or one that the particular person who is the object of the harassment perceives to… Read more