School Spotlight

Georgia Southern University

Location: , Georgia
Type: Public
Tell Georgia Southern University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Georgia Southern University has been given the speech code rating Red. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more

  • Georgia Southern University Policy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: November 20, 2018

    Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct may include sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile work or academic environment constitutes one type of sexua... Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: November 20, 2018

    c. Any act of intimidation or bullying directed against any person or group of persons. Read More

  • Multicultural Student Center: Bias Incident Report

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: November 20, 2018

    Bias Incident Reporting There are times when this environment may be compromised when a biased or hate-related incident occurs. You can report a bias or hate-related incident as a witness or a victim by completing the Bias Incident Reporting Form.  Although it is helpful to tell us who you are, reports can be made a... Read More

  • Student Union Facilities & Event Services: Policies- Assembly and Demonstrations

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: November 20, 2018

    Georgia Southern University reaffirms its commitment to the freedoms of speech, expression, and assembly by establishing this policy. Individuals have the right to assemble, to speak, and to attempt to attract the attention of others, and corresponding rights to hear the speech of others when they choose to listen, ... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • A closer look at Georgia Southern’s response to students’ book burning

    October 18, 2019

    A book burning on the campus of Georgia Southern University last week had the potential to ignite more than just the pages of the book in question. Controversy, censorship, and heightened campus tensions can result from such demonstrations. But a timely, speech-friendly assessment from Georgia Southern’s president — coupled with robust student media coverage and… Read more

  • Speech Code of the Month: Georgia Southern University

    January 14, 2015

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for January 2015: Georgia Southern University (GSU). As we begin a new year, we want to keep the focus squarely on the incursions on free speech by the federal government—specifically, by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Last month, we highlighted a policy… Read more

  • A Year Later, Impact of Feds’ ‘Blueprint’ Comes into Focus

    August 28, 2014

    Last summer, FIRE sounded the alarm about a shockingly broad definition of sexual harassment being pushed by the Departments of Education (ED) and Justice (DOJ) as a “blueprint for colleges and universities throughout the country.” Announced at the conclusion of a year-long investigation into the University of Montana’s sexual assault policies and practices, the resolution agreement and findings letter the feds labeled a “blueprint” defined sexual harassment as “any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature,” including “verbal conduct” (i.e., speech). And this all-encompassing definition wasn’t just a general characterization of sexual harassment; rather, it was the exact policy language that ED and DOJ were requiring the University of Montana to adopt verbatim.