School Spotlight
Governors State University
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Student Misconduct Policies- Bullying
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: August 25, 2020Bullying. Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to, intentional, repeated, persistent, and/or aggressive behavior (physical, verbal, or written) directed at another person, either in person or through electronic (e.g., email, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games, websit... Read MoreAnti-Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Compliance Procedures
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: October 18, 2021Acts considered to constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: … the purpose or the effect of such conduct is to substantially interfere with the affected individual’s wor... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Misconduct Policies- Discrimination
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: August 25, 2020Discrimination. Prohibited acts include, but are not limited to, acts of misconduct or bias incidents when committed by reason of the age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, marital or civil union status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected class stat... Read MoreStudent Handbook: University Policies- Civility Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: October 18, 2021All members of the community must treat other members with civility and respect while recognizing that disagreement and informed debate are valued in an academic community. Demeaning, intimidating, threatening, or violent behavior, either in verbal or written form, that affects the ability to learn, teach, or work i... Read MoreAcceptable Use Policy for Computing and Networking, Network Security and Wireless Computing
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: October 18, 2021The network may not be used for commercial or political purposes and may not be used by non-University entities, except as specified by contract. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Misconduct Policies- Sexual Misconduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 25, 2020Formal complaints alleging conduct that meets the definition of sexual harassment under Title IX will follow the grievance procedures outlined in Policy 78 and the corresponding procedure manual. All other allegations of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation based on an individual’s actual or perceived sex,... Read MoreClubs and Organizations Resource Manual: Posting and/or Distribution of Literature of on the GSU Campus
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: October 18, 2021Approval for posting materials on bulletin boards is the responsibility of CSEIP. Approval must be obtained before posting of all materials. Posting submitted will be displayed on bulletin boards and Prairie Place. Prairie Place will not post any community items at this time. … Individuals who wish to distribu... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Abuse and Threatening Behavior
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: August 25, 2020Prohibited Acts include, but are not limited to … abusive or threatening language (expressed or implied) directed to any person (including oneself), that may be carried out in person, via electronic media, or third parties, that: a. Endangers the safety, physical or mental health, or life of any person, or cre... Read MoreTitle IX and Anti-Sex Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: October 18, 2021Sexual Harassment, defined as: Any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when: … b. Hostile Environment: i. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s employment or educational performance or creating an int... Read More
Governors State University: Censorship of Student Newspaper
September 19, 2005
A college administrator at Governors State University in Illinois censored a student newspaper that was highly critical of her administration. The Seventh Circuit chose to apply Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier, a Supreme Court decision allowing prior review of certain high school newspapers, to student fee-funded college media. This directly contradicted two other Supreme Court decisions by… Read more
Illinois State Legislature Passes Student Press Bill
June 8, 2007
The Chicago Tribune reported (registration required) yesterday that the Illinois State Legislature has passed the College Campus Press Act, a bill that the Tribune reported “would allow college student journalists to write articles without fear that college officials could censor or bar publication of their work.” State Senator Susan Garrett, sponsor of the bill, said,… Read more
Journalism Association Condemns Press Freedom Violations
August 16, 2006
Yesterday, the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) reported the August 4 decision by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) to censure a community college in New Jersey for violating freedom of the press. Ocean Community College (OCC) has already been censured by the College Media Advisers, Inc. (CMA), a national organization… Read more
Student Press in Jeopardy with ‘Hosty’
March 3, 2006
As we reported last week, FIRE is disappointed that the Supreme Court has decided not to hear Hosty v. Carter, thereby upholding the Seventh Circuit’s 2005 decision to allow public university administrators to censor student newspapers. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) issued a press release this week airing student editors’ reactions. This decision has… Read more
FIRE Disappointed with Supreme Court’s Refusal to Take ‘Hosty v. Carter’
February 24, 2006
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is deeply disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear an appeal of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit’s opinion in Hosty v. Carter, leaving student newspapers at public universities in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin vulnerable to administrative censorship. “Hosty v…. Read more
‘Inside Higher Ed’ on ‘Hosty v. Carter’
February 22, 2006
As Torch readers know, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided not to hear the appeal in Hosty v. Carter, a crucially important student free speech case. Inside Higher Education has published a great article by David Epstein on the Court’s decision: In [Hosty], the court found that Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, which held that… Read more
Supreme Court Denies Appeal in ‘Hosty v. Carter’
February 21, 2006
FIRE is gravely disappointed that the Supreme Court has decided not to grant cert in the case of Hosty v. Carter. As the Student Press Law Center (SPLC) reports: February 21, 2006 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Supreme Court announced this morning that it will not hear a case that questioned the authority of administrators at an Illinois… Read more
Down to the Wire in ‘Hosty v. Carter’
February 1, 2006
The Supreme Court is set to decide, in conference on February 17, whether it will take up the case of Hosty v. Carter, the infamous case that extends Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier to colleges and universities and could allow administrators to censor student newspapers. The Court has already shown interest in the case by… Read more
Supreme Court Extends Deadline in ‘Hosty v. Carter’ Case
November 29, 2005
Here is the latest update on the Hosty v. Carter case from our friends over at the Student Press Law Center: November 28, 2005 WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Supreme Court has given attorneys for an Illinois college administrator sued for censoring the school’s student newspaper another month to file a response to the students’ petition asking the Court… Read more
Encouraging News in ‘Hosty v. Carter’
November 2, 2005
As loyal Torch readers know, FIRE is at war with the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals’ dangerous opinion in Hosty v. Carter. So far, both FIRE cofounder Harvey Silverglate and I have written op-eds condemning it, FIRE has issued a policy statement explaining why it was such a dangerous opinion, and two weeks ago we… Read more
SPLC and Dozens of Other Groups File Two More Amicus Briefs Opposing ‘Hosty v. Carter’
October 21, 2005
As we announced on Wednesday, FIRE authored an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider and reject the Seventh Circuit’s decision in Hosty v. Carter. On Thursday, FIRE’s brief was joined by two more terrific briefs asking the Court to consider and reject the Hosty decision. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC) and… Read more
‘Hosty v. Carter’: Promise Kept, Brief Filed
October 19, 2005
On September 19, FIRE made a promise. Here is what our press release said: The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is rallying opposition to Hosty v. Carter, a recent Seventh Circuit decision that could be used to severely restrict student speech. On Friday, the plaintiffs’ attorney filed the formal petition to the United… Read more
FIRE Files Brief Urging Supreme Court to Hear Student Newspaper Censorship Case
October 19, 2005
WASHINGTON, October 19, 2005—Today, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of Hosty v. Carter, a Seventh Circuit decision that poses a grave threat to student press freedom. “The Seventh Circuit’s decision in Hosty v. Carter has the potential to destroy freedom… Read more
More Bad News for Student Press Freedom
September 27, 2005
Evidence has begun to roll in showing that the freedom of the student press is under assault as never before. It’s certainly bad enough that our own federal court system is attacking the free campus press through the Seventh Circuit’s en banc decision in Hosty v. Carter (now being appealed to the Supreme Court)—but hold… Read more
FIRE v. ‘Hosty’
September 19, 2005
As our press release today attests, FIRE, along with the Student Press Law Center, is leading the charge against a recent and very misguided court decision called Hosty v. Carter. FIRE has been involved in this case for quite some time, which initially received a very favorable ruling from the Seventh Circuit. Unfortunately, the Seventh… Read more
Seventh Circuit Decision Threatens Student Press Freedom
September 19, 2005
PHILADELPHIA, September 19, 2005—The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is rallying opposition to Hosty v. Carter, a recent Seventh Circuit decision that could be used to severely restrict student speech. On Friday, the plaintiffs’ attorney filed the formal petition to the United States Supreme Court to reverse the ruling, and today FIRE releases… Read more
FIRE Policy Statement on ‘Hosty v. Carter’
September 19, 2005
SUMMARY OF FIRE’S POSITION The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit’s en banc opinion in Hosty v. Carter, No. 01-4155 (7th Cir. June 20, 2005), is a poorly conceived opinion that, if upheld, will do serious harm to freedom of speech on campus far beyond the realm of student media. The Court ruled… Read more
FIRE Starts Off the School Year with a Bang
September 6, 2005
People often mention the “dog days of August.” Supposedly it’s a long, hot month during which most people are on vacation and nothing really happens, especially in the media. But it seems Greg Lukianoff, FIRE’s director of legal and public advocacy, didn’t get that memo. Dog days or not, Greg managed to author three important… Read more
Wronging student rights
September 3, 2005
As summer ends and college students return to campus, a number of dreadful court decisions may cause them to wonder if their rights have taken a permanent vacation. While the past decades have hardly been a golden age for student rights, there was good reason to be optimistic in recent years. Speech codes fell at… Read more
‘Hosty’ Opinion Criticized in the ‘Village Voice’
August 3, 2005
Check out “Whitewash U,” an article by John Guifo about the recent, disastrous opinion in Hosty v. Carter in yesterday’s Village Voice: Imagine for a moment that you are a university administrator in charge of maintaining your school’s public image, when one day you are given the power to control the content of your college’s… Read more
SPLC: ‘Student Media Experts React to Governors State University Ruling’
June 24, 2005
Check out the Student Press Law Center’s latest article on the troubling decision in Hosty v. Carter. Addressing commentators who do not see to the decision as particularly threatening to free speech on campus I was quoted, ‘Far, far smaller loopholes with regards to the First Amendment rights of students have been exploited to censor… Read more