School Spotlight

East Carolina University

Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Type: Public
Tell East Carolina University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

East Carolina University has been given the speech code rating Green. Green light institutions are those colleges and universities whose policies nominally protect free speech. Read more

  • POL 05.25.02: Notice of Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    Harassment – a form of discrimination. Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a Protected Class, as defined in Section 1.1 above, which creates either quid pro quo harassment or a hostile environment, as defined in Section 4.2.1 and Section 4.2.2, below. […] Hostile Environment Harassment – A “ho... Read More

  • REG 08.05.04: University Student and Employee Computer Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    Employees and students may access these technologies for personal use, subject to the following restrictions: …The use does not conflict the rights and privacy of others or violate any UNC or University policy, regulation or rule, or any state or federal law. Read More

  • REG 07.30.06: Freedom of Expression Regulation – Interim

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    East Carolina University recognizes its responsibility, not only to foster the right of free expression, but also to refrain from unnecessary restriction of that right. The diverse ideas and opinions of members of the University Community will sometimes conflict. However, it is that very conflict which gives ris... Read More

  • REG 07.30.06: Freedom of Expression Regulation – Interim

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    2.8.“Expressive Activity Area” (“EAA”) means, for purposes of the East Campus, the Mall, the Brickyard, the Common Areas of the Student Center, and those out-of-doors areas that have been consistently open to the Expressive Activity of Members of the University Community by tradition or by administrative approva... Read More

  • REG 11.30.01: Student Conduct Process- 1.3. Scope of the Student Conduct Process

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    The University embraces and strives to uphold the freedoms of expression and speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution. Read More

  • Dean of Students: The East Carolina Creed

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Policies Restricting Freedom of Conscience
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    In the pursuit of educational excellence, responsible stewardship, and intellectual freedom, the community of scholars at East Carolina University is committed to learning at the highest level. Founded in the tradition of service and leadership, members of our academic society exemplify high standards of professiona... Read More

  • REG 06.40.03: Regulation on Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome sexual conduct, request for sexual favors, or other unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, graphic, physical, or otherwise, when … Such conduct creates a hostile environment. A “hostile environment” exists when the conduct is sufficiently severe, per... Read More

  • REG 11.30.01: Student Conduct Process- 2.4. Harassment, Threats, Bullying or Intimidation

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 1, 2018

    2.4. Harassment, Threats, Bullying or Intimidation: Directing action toward a particular individual or group in a manner which is unwelcome and, under the totality of the circumstances, is so severe or pervasive, and objectively offensive that it undermines and/or detracts from the target’s academic pursuits, ... Read More

  • East Carolina University: Student Newspaper Adviser Fired After Publication of Streaker Photo

    January 6, 2012

    On November 8, 2011, independent student newspaper The East Carolinian published an uncensored photo of a streaker at an East Carolina University (ECU) football game. A university administrator warned The East Carolinian’s editor in chief that the newspaper would “face consequences” for the decision to run the photo. On January 4, 2012, ECU fired Paul… Read more

  • East Carolina University: Viewpoint Discrimination Against Student Organization

    April 21, 2011

    The student group Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) at ECU submitted a request to ECU’s Student Government Association to receive funding for its “Hemp Fest” event, which included a request of $150 for the purchase of legal hemp products for display and demonstration. SGA refused to fund this portion of the event, however, saying that… Read more

  • University of North Carolina System: State of the First Amendment

    January 10, 2006

    FIRE teamed up with the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy to release the Report on the State of the First Amendment in the University of North Carolina System. The Report notes that UNC System’s many speech codes and illiberal restrictions on religious groups would likely not survive a legal challenge. It also… Read more

  • REPORT: North Carolina is home to some of America’s best colleges for free speech

    September 24, 2018

    Eight colleges in North Carolina earn FIRE’s highest rating for free speech — more than in any other state — but 17 still maintain policies that substantially restrict student expression. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24, 2018 — A new report finds that North Carolina’s colleges and universities lead the way nationally for protecting student free speech. The… Read more

  • Free speech gets the ‘green light’ at East Carolina University

    June 27, 2017

    ECU is North Carolina’s fourth university in two months to earn FIRE’s highest rating for free speech. North Carolina now has six institutions with this rating — more than any other state. GREENVILLE, N.C., June 27, 2017 — East Carolina University has earned the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education’s (FIRE’s) highest, “green light” rating… Read more

  • Playboy’s ‘Smoking Jacket’ Covers Censorship on Campus

    December 2, 2013

    In a new article, Playboy’s website The Smoking Jacket highlights memorable examples of censorship of sexually themed speech on college campuses. The (safe-for-work!) article features eight examples from American universities and an example from an Australian university, including several from FIRE’s archives. Who could forget the 2011 incident at East Carolina University where the school fired a student newspaper advisor after the… Read more

  • ‘East Carolinian’ on N.C. Students’ Rights to an Attorney

    October 11, 2013

    When North Carolina passed the Students & Administration Equality Act (SAE Act) in August, it became the first state in the country to guarantee the right of its public college students and student organizations to be represented by an attorney in non-academic campus disciplinary hearings. Yesterday, in East Carolina University’s (ECU’s) student newspaper The East Carolinian, writer Ryan Clancy… Read more

  • FIRE’s Top 3 Free Press Cases

    January 31, 2013

    Over the years, FIRE has repeatedly gone to bat for student newspapers and student journalists faced with censorship. Student press censorship comes in many forms, ranging from newspaper theft, reduced support from student activity funds, and the firing of faculty advisors, to prior review and editorial control of content. Since it’s Free Press Week, here, in… Read more

  • Free Speech Victory at East Carolina University: $31,200 Settlement for Newspaper Advisor

    April 23, 2012

    In a victory for freedom of the press, East Carolina University (ECU) has agreed to pay former student newspaper advisor Paul Isom $31,200 after firing him because the newspaper printed photos of a streaker. FIRE and groups including the Student Press Law Center had helped Isom defend free speech on campus.  As FIRE Senior Vice… Read more

  • Free Speech Victory at East Carolina University: $31,200 Settlement for Newspaper Advisor

    April 23, 2012

    GREENVILLE, N.C., Apr. 23, 2012—In a victory for freedom of the press, East Carolina University has agreed to pay former student newspaper advisor Paul Isom $31,200 after firing him because the newspaper printed photos of a streaker. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) worked with Isom in defense of free speech. “It’s been… Read more

  • Weeks Later, No Answers from East Carolina University on Firing of Newspaper Advisor

    February 15, 2012

    For weeks now, East Carolina University (ECU) has been under pressure from FIRE, the media, and the general public after its firing of Paul Isom, adviser to The East Carolinian student newspaper, after controversial photos of a streaker appeared in the paper’s front pages.  ECU has been torched in the press and deservedly so, given… Read more

  • Media Hammers East Carolina University for Adviser’s Firing

    January 20, 2012

    Here on The Torch, we last posted about East Carolina University’s indefensible firing of student media adviser Paul Isom a week ago, as Adam took ECU to task for the school’s embarrassing attempts at damage control. In the week since, we’ve been focused on our recent victories at Syracuse University and the University of Florida,… Read more

  • East Carolina University Digs Deeper Hole with Second Public Statement in 2 Days

    January 12, 2012

    Yesterday I deconstructed East Carolina University’s pitiful public statement invoking the "just trust us" defense after it fired the adviser to The East Carolinian because the independent student newspaper (like it or not) published uncensored photos of a streaker at an ECU football game. Today, I repeat: Whoever does damage control over at East Carolina… Read more

  • East Carolina University’s Pitiful Statement About Firing Advisor

    January 11, 2012

    Whoever does damage control over at East Carolina University has been doing a pretty poor job. Not only has the university embarrassed itself nationally and locally (Channel 3, Channel 9, Channel 17 …), but now ECU has put out a statement basically saying, "trust us," as though this will make all those pesky journalists and… Read more

  • National Press Photographers Association Criticizes ECU Firing of Newspaper Adviser

    January 11, 2012

    The National Press Photographers Association has joined FIRE, the Student Press Law Center, and the numerous others who have criticized East Carolina University (ECU) for its firing of newspaper adviser Paul Isom. As has now been widely reported, Isom was fired by ECU following the publication of unedited photos of a streaker at an ECU… Read more

  • Firing of ECU Media Adviser Sparks Widespread Response

    January 10, 2012

    East Carolina University’s decision to fire its Director of Student Media last week has sparked a widespread response.  For those new to this case, Isom’s termination comes in the wake of a decision by the editorial board of student newspaper The East Carolinian to run uncensored photos of a streaker at an ECU game on… Read more

  • UCLA Urged to Prioritize Academic Freedom in Search for Public Health Dean

    January 10, 2012

    At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Public Health (SPH), a search is underway for a new dean to lead the school. Of the many important qualities UCLA will be considering as it assesses potential candidates, it is respect for academic freedom that will ensure the best environment for innovative research the… Read more

  • FIRE Intervenes after East Carolina University Fires Newspaper’s Adviser over Streaker Photo

    January 9, 2012

    On Friday, Jaclyn wrote about East Carolina University’s ill-advised decision to fire Paul Isom, adviser to student newspaper The East Carolinian, after the newspaper printed an uncensored photo of a man who streaked at a football game. The East Carolinian and the Student Press Law Center had already run stories on the case, and the… Read more

  • Following Publication of Streaker Photos, Student Newspaper Adviser Fired

    January 6, 2012

    The East Carolinian and the Student Press Law Center both reported yesterday that Paul Isom, Director of Student Media at Eastern Carolina University (ECU), was fired on Wednesday. Isom’s advising portfolio included the campus radio station, television station, yearbook, and several student magazines. But it was a student editorial decision by The East Carolinian, the… Read more

  • Will East Carolina University’s and UC Santa Barbara’s Student Governments Keep Discriminating on the Basis of Viewpoint?

    May 6, 2011

    FIRE has asked East Carolina University Student Government Association President Tremayne Smith (or his successor—the university’s term is ending imminently) to make it clear that SGA will no longer discriminate on the basis of viewpoint when allocating student activity fee funds. As Peter wrote last month, SGA abused its discretion when it denied most of… Read more

  • Despite Viewpoint Discrimination by SGA, Young Americans for Liberty Carries on With ‘Hemp Fest’ at ECU

    April 20, 2011

    Today at East Carolina University (ECU), the student group Young Americans for Liberty (YAL) is raising awareness about American drug policy, as well as about the practical uses of legal hemp products. They’re doing so with a little First Amendment help from FIRE, but not much from ECU’s student government. I say "not much" because,… Read more