School Spotlight
DePauw University
Location:
Greencastle, Indiana
Type:
Private
Speech Code Rating
DePauw 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.
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Student Handbook: Campus Publicity and Display Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: December 1, 2021All posted advertising, promotional, informational materials, or displays should clearly state or include the official name of the recognized student organization, agency, department, or individual sponsoring the event/program or responsible for the message. Publicity materials or displays that do not reflect this i... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Harassment Policy- Definition of Harassment and Notice of Non-Discrimination
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: December 10, 2021Harassment is defined as (A) Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies the Complainant equal access to the University’s education program or activity … It also is important to note that the University does not condone any inap... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Harassment Policy- Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 19, 2021DePauw is committed to providing students, employees and University guests an environment and workplace free of inappropriate comments or conduct of a sexual nature. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX should be directed to the University’s Title IX Coordinator. Sexual or gender-based harassment i... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Campus Demonstrations
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: December 1, 2021DePauw University values the rights of students to gather, speak, and demonstrate. The University also recognizes that important learning is often facilitated by these activities, even if the ideas are unpopular. Therefore, the University affirms the right to demonstrate. … DePauw students are free to support causes... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Right, Responsibilities and Freedoms
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: August 19, 2021DePauw University exists for the transmission of knowledge, the nurturing of integrity and the cultural development of its students. To attain these goals, free inquiry and free expression are imperative. … 3. Freedom of association: students are free and, in fact, encouraged to organize and join associations ... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Title IX Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 19, 2021As defined under Title IX regulations, conduct on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression), that constitutes one of the following is prohibited: … Sexual Harassment: (A) Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively of... Read MoreEmployee Guide: Electronic Communications and Acceptable Use Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: June 1, 2022Electronic communication facilities shall not be used to access or transmit electronic communication which contain unlawful content, including, but not limited to content that is defamatory or harassing. Read More
FIRE surveyed roughly 37,000 students at 154 colleges and universities about the climate for free speech at their institutions. In 2021, FIRE released rankings of those schools, based on a number of factors, including openness, tolerance, self-expression, administrative support for free speech, and campus policies, scoring overall speech climate on a scale from 0-100. See the full report on FIRE’s 2021 College Free Speech Rankings for more information.
Rankings |
|
| Overall Ranking | 154/154 |
| Ideological Diversity | 79/159 |
Overall / out of a top score of 100 |
|
| Overall Score | 50.8 |
| Openness | 9.01 |
| Tolerance (Liberals) | 10.46 |
| Tolerance (Conservatives) | 7.62 |
| Administrative Support | 5.23 |
| Comfort | 14.68 |
| Disruptive Conduct | 9.79 |
| Speech Climate | |
| Supported Scholars | |
| Sanctioned Scholars | |
| Successful Disinvitations | |
| Speech Code | YELLOW |
Speech Code of the Month: DePauw University
October 21, 2016
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for October 2016: DePauw University in Indiana. DePauw’s Acceptable Use and Electronic Communications Policy provides, in relevant part: Electronic communication facilities shall not be used to access or transmit electronic communication which promote or contain offensive, unlawful or inappropriate content, including, but not limited to content that… Read more
Freed From Compulsory Attendance, DePauw Students Voluntarily Attend Day of Dialogue
January 28, 2015
Today, classes are cancelled at Indiana’s DePauw University so that students can attend “DePauw Dialogue,” a day of campus discussion “surrounding diversity and inclusiveness.” Unfortunately, DePauw initially attempted to ensure student participation by making the event mandatory. According to the student newspaper The DePauw: An email sent Friday by Vice President for Student Life Christopher… Read more
Due Process Advocates Take Critical Look at How Colleges Are Dealing with Sexual Assault Allegations
September 15, 2014
With colleges and universities revising their sexual assault policies for the new academic year and legislation on the horizon that could have serious repercussions for campus due process, it is critically important for policymakers to stay committed to protecting the rights of all students. Advocates for due process are stepping up to ensure that as… Read more
‘Minding the Campus’: ‘Let’s Make Sure Those RA Brains Are Properly Washed’
June 30, 2011
Minding the Campus has excerpted a harrowing story of thought reform at DePauw University written by former resident assistant (RA) Rachel Cheeseman, who is a FIRE intern this summer. Here’s part of it: During the week-long series of RA training events, my fellow RAs and I were lectured repeatedly about white privilege, racism, sexism, and every other "ism." My… Read more
DePauw University’s Speech Code: No ‘Mimicking’ Allowed!
November 25, 2008
Since I have taken Wabash College to task in a recent post, it is only fair for me to say a few words about Wabash’s longtime Indiana rival, DePauw University. Unfortunately, my work is made quite easy by DePauw’s quite appalling speech code. FIRE gives DePauw a red-light rating because of its policies that both… Read more