School Spotlight

Eastern Kentucky University

Location: Richmond, Kentucky
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

Eastern Kentucky 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

  • Student Handbook: Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 13, 2019

    Definitions: … Hostile Environment: A hostile environment may be created by oral, written, graphic, or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent/pervasive, and objectively offensive that it interferes with, limits, or denies the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from educatio... Read More

  • Policy and Regulation Library: 11.2.2P- Code of Ethics for Computing & Communications

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: March 13, 2019

    The use of information technology resources for unlawful purposes is prohibited. Examples of unlawful use include, but are not limited to: defrauding, threatening, abusing, defaming, harassing, intimidating or transmitting obscene messages or media. Using information technology is no different than similar conduct c... Read More

  • Student Conduct: Fundamental Principles- Fundamental Rights of Students

    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: March 13, 2019

    As citizens, students enjoy the same freedoms as are guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the Commonwealth of Kentucky and have the same duties and responsibilities, as do other citizens. … Students are free to discuss, to express opinions and to hear expression of diverse opinions. Read More

  • Student Handbook: General Regulations Concerning Student Behavior

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 13, 2019

    Engaging in a course of conduct which is intended to harass, intimidate, or unreasonably impair the person’s ability to participate in or fully benefit from the University’s environment. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • Kentucky Campus Free Expression Act Endorsed by EKU Student Government

    February 10, 2017

    Last month, I wrote about the introduction of legislation in Kentucky to protect the free speech rights of students enrolled in public colleges and universities throughout the state. I’m pleased to share that the Campus Free Expression (CAFE) Act has earned the full endorsement of the Student Government Association at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). In… Read more

  • 2013 in Review: Threats from Washington, Victories in the States

    December 30, 2013

    As 2013 comes to a close, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) looks back on a year that was headlined by dire threats to free speech and student rights on campus.

  • FIRE’s Will Creeley Heads to Kentucky to Speak at UK, EKU

    April 1, 2013

    Tomorrow, FIRE’s Director of Legal and Public Advocacy Will Creeley heads to the Bluegrass State to discuss student rights at the University of Kentucky (UK) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). At both schools, Creeley will examine the state of the law on freedom of speech on today’s college campuses, discussing the decades of legal precedent… Read more

  • ‘The Eastern Progress’ Reports on EKU’s New Green Light Status

    February 7, 2013

    Monday, FIRE announced that it had added Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) to its exclusive list of 16 colleges and universities whose policies do not unduly burden free speech (or “green light” schools, if you prefer something shorter). Today, EKU’s student newspaper, The Eastern Progress, reports on the school’s brand new green light rating and quotes… Read more

  • Eastern Kentucky University Earns Highest Rating for Free Speech

    February 4, 2013

    LEXINGTON, Ky., February 4, 2013—Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in nearby Richmond has eliminated all of its speech codes, earning the highest, “green light” rating for free speech from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). While the overwhelming majority of the nation’s colleges and universities maintain policies that clearly and substantially restrict freedom of speech,… Read more

  • False Free Speech Defenses in Kentucky, Minnesota, and California

    March 1, 2010

    As FIRE continues to be successful in our efforts to prevent schools from violating the First Amendment, universities are devising more creative—and specious—ways to rebut FIRE’s admonitions. The most recent odd response involves claiming that a university’s discussion of enacting unconstitutional speech policies is itself protected speech. This defense not only misses the point, but… Read more

  • Rights in the News: With FIRE’s Help, Students Standing Up to Their Speech Codes

    October 16, 2009

    FIRE was elated to begin the week with the announcement that The College of William & Mary had reformed the last of its troublesome speech codes and become one of just eleven colleges to earn a "green light" rating in FIRE’s Spotlight database. Perhaps the fever has spread to neighboring James Madison University, where the… Read more

  • Rights in the News: At Maryland, Virginia Tech, UMass and Elsewhere, FIRE Cases Grabbing Headlines

    April 10, 2009

    Another week, another crush of FIRE cases from around the country battling for headlines. I’ll start with Greg’s Huffington Post blog on the controversy swirling around the University of Maryland campus in the wake of a legislator’s threat to pull funding from the university if it allowed students to screen an adult film on campus—which,… Read more