School Spotlight

Georgia State University

Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

Georgia State 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

  • Student Code of Conduct: Special Event/Late Night Event Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Security Fee Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    For purposes of this policy, “late night events” shall mean events expected to end at 11p.m. or later and “special events” shall mean events that 300 or more guests are reasonably expected to attend or that pose a security concern for some other reason, as determined in the sole discretion of... Read More

  • University Housing Solicitation and Posting Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    All flyers/posters must be pre‐approved by University Housing. … c. Flyers that encourage the violation of law or University policy, the consumption of alcohol or other drugs are prohibited. d. We may choose not to approve flyers/posters with no end date or that are meant to be posted on an ongoing basis. Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct, based on sex or on gender stereotypes, that: is implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of employment or status in a course, program, or activity; is a basis for employment/ or educational decisions; or is sufficiently severe, persistent, or p... Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Rights and Obligations- General

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    Membership in the community of scholars known as Georgia State University is a privilege and carries with it obligations to participate in and contribute to the educational mission of the institution. Concurrent with these obligations are rights and freedoms for each individual as guaranteed by the United States Con... Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Introduction- Guarantees of Student Expression

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    Students have the right to freedom of expression by word or symbol as long as it does not materially or substantially interfere with the orderly operation of the university or with the rights of others as conferred by the Constitution. Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Prohibited General Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    Harassing a person through unwanted conduct directed at him/her that causes reasonable fear for safety (e.g., Stalking) or is sufficiently severe, pervasive and persistent that it interferes with the person’s university employment or ability to participate in or benefit from university programs. Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Campus Speech, Distribution, and Posting Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    GSU students, chartered student organizations, staff and faculty are supported in their right to engage in Speech Activities and may do so on campus in any place where, at the time of the speech, expression, or assembly the persons are permitted to be (including designated public forums | speech areas) with the exce... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • The “problem” with Page 33: Georgia State University walks censorship line

    July 12, 2019

    Student journalists at Georgia State University are scrambling to distribute thousands of copies of their summer magazine, The Urbanite, after administrators decided not to include it in the university’s student orientation materials. While the administration is under no legal obligation to distribute the magazine, it didn’t help its relationship with student journalists by offering a… Read more

  • Practical Advice for Fraternities Caught in the Battle for Free Speech on Campus

    September 16, 2004

    I. Introduction While there is no shortage of free speech battles on college campuses, fraternities have the dubious honor of being at the center of many of the least sympathetic controversies. From Halloween parties where brothers show up dressed as Ku Klux Klan members to fraternity newsletters that graphically relate a brother’s sexual exploits with… Read more