Delta State University

Location: Cleveland, Mississippi
Website: http://www.deltastate.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 5th Circuit

Tell Delta State University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Delta State University has been given the speech code rating Yellow. Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.

At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.
Yellow Light Policies

  • Student Handbook: Title IX Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Assault, and Sexual Harassment Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: December 19, 2018

    Sexual Harassment –It is unlawful to harass a person (an employee or student) because of that person’s gender. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s gender. Both victim and the harasser can be either a woman or a man, and the victim and harasser can be the same gender.

    Although the law doesn’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive living, classroom, social, dining, recreational, and/or work environment. The harasser can be a student and/or employee affiliated with the University or someone who is not associated with the University.

    » Read More

  • University Policies Manual: Appropriate Use of Computing and Network Resources

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: December 19, 2018

    Free 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 information is inappropriate, because it is inconsistent with the mission of the University, or is otherwise not in compliance with the legal and ethical usage governed by Federal or State law or regulation, or with the University or Institutions of Higher Learning policies.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Conduct – Offenses Against Persons

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: December 19, 2018

    Physical abuse, verbal 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 More

  • University Policies Manual: Student Rights

    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: December 19, 2018

    Any student parade, serenade, demonstration, rally, and/or other meeting or gathering for any purpose conducted on the campus of Delta State University must be scheduled with the Vice President for Student Affairs at least two days in advance of the event.

    » Read More

  • Handbook for Student Organizations: Posting of Fliers and Banners

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: December 19, 2018

    Individuals and organizations may post fliers only on billboards and/or designated areas on the inside of university buildings. All materials are expected to be in good taste.

    » Read More

Green Light Policies

  • University Policies Manual: Student Rights

    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: December 19, 2018

    All 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 democratic process of freedom of speech, assembly, and petition.

    » Read More

At present, FIRE does not maintain information on this school's policies.

  • 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 advocates say are oppressive. At Ole Miss, someone could theoretically get in trouble for sending an e-mail about how much they “hate” rival Mississippi State. Jackson State students could be punished for unsolicited flirting. Speaking freely outside so-called “free-speech zones” on most of the campuses […]

    » 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 be hostile or abusive.” (Emphasis added.) Defining harassment on the basis of the perception of the allegedly harassed individual completely eliminates any semblance of objectivity in Delta State’s harassment policy.  In other words, harassment occurs when either a reasonable or an unreasonable person finds the […]

    » Read More