School Spotlight

Florida A&M University

Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Type: Public
Tell Florida A&M University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Florida A&M 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
This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech. This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech. This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech.

  • Regulation 2.012: Student Code of Conduct – Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 25, 2018

    Harassment: Verbal or written abuse (including electronic communications or internet activity), threats, intimidation, coercion and/or other conduct that endangers the health, safety, or welfare of others, or places another individual in reasonable fear of physical harm or creates a hostile environment in which othe... Read More

  • Regulation 2.012: Student Code of Conduct – Gender-Based Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 25, 2018

    Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature if: … such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or... Read More

  • Residence Life Handbook: Offensive/Reckless Behavior

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: May 25, 2018

    Behavior and/or activities that are considered offensive to others that do not constitute ones freedom of expression is prohibited while in public areas of the residential facilities if it has been requested that an individual refrain from such behaviors and/or activities. Behaviors/activities that may be considered... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Dress Standards

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
    Last updated: May 25, 2018

    Examples of inappropriate dress and/or appearance include but are not limited to: … Clothing with derogatory, offensive and/or lewd messages either in words or pictures. Read More

  • Regulation 10.103: Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedures

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 25, 2018

    Harassment shall include, but not be limited to: 1. Any slurs, innuendoes or other verbal or physical conduct reflecting on an individual’s race, ethnic background, gender or handicapping condition which has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive educational or work environment; has ... Read More

  • Regulation 2.012: Student Code of Conduct- Misuse of computer facilities, wireless system, network, data and resources

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: May 25, 2018

    Misuse of computer facilities, wireless system, network, data and resources, including but not limited to: … Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or defamatory messages or material. Read More

  • Regulation 2.013: Due Process, Other Rights and Responsibilities

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: May 25, 2018

    All students enrolled at the university shall be accorded the basic rights as set forth below. … The right of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as defined and governed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Florida and the regulations of the University. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • Speech Code of the Month: Florida A&M University

    April 14, 2015

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for April 2015: Florida A&M University (FAMU). According to FAMU’s Student Code of Conduct, “disorderly conduct” includes not only things like public drunkenness, but also the “use of profanity in public” and the use of “insulting” language. This policy is a clear violation of FAMU students’ First… Read more

  • SPLC’s LoMonte Takes On FAMU’s ‘Hostile Takeover’ of Student Newspaper

    February 12, 2013

    Writing in the Tampa Bay Times, Student Press Law Center Executive Director Frank LoMonte takes on Florida A&M University’s shocking decision to disband The Famuan, a student newspaper that has sharply criticized the university in recent years, and then reconstitute it without its previous slate of editors. LoMonte writes: In January, the dean of FAMU’s… Read more