School Spotlight
Grambling State University
Speech Code Rating
This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech.
Code of Student Conduct: Indecent, Obscene, Immoral Behavior, or Profanity
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 24, 2020This includes conduct which is disorderly, lewd, or indecent. Such acts include but are not limited to: the use of obscene gestures, improper body exposures, or other immoral acts or use of profanity to any faculty, staff, student, or University official. Read MoreCode of Student Conduct: Misuse of Computer Resources
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: September 24, 2020The unauthorized entry into a file to use, read, or alter the contents thereof, or transfer a file for any purpose. These include, but not limited to, use of another’s identification and password without authorization, use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another, to transmit obscene haras... Read MoreCode of Student Conduct: Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: September 24, 2020Assembly and demonstration, just as speech and expression within the institution in public places, are permitted subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions for the maintenance of order, safety and security and is applicable to local, state and federal laws. Approval from the President or Vice Preside... Read MoreCode of Student Conduct: Dress Code Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
Last updated: September 24, 2020The following standards shall apply and will be enforced: Examples of inappropriate attire include but are not limited to: … Clothing consisting of derogatory and or offensive messages either in pictures or words. Read MoreCode of Student Conduct: Disorderly Assembly
Last updated: September 24, 2020
It is strictly forbidden for any group to gather in such a manner as to … bring disgrace or disrespect to the University. Read MoreCode of Student Conduct: Assault
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 24, 2020The intentional harassment, degradation, threat or intimidation of another in an attempt to commit a battery, or the intentional placing of another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery. Physical contact is not required. This includes engaging in, attempting or intending to engage in any form of verbal o... Read MorePolicy # 62002: Sexual Misconduct Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 24, 2020Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature when … such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person’s employment or education, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment or educational environment, and has no legitimate relationship to the subject ... Read More
Grambling State University: Ban on Core Political Expression
September 1, 2010
The Media Relations department at GSU sent an e-mail on July 13, 2010, ordering the GSU community to delete all e-mails containing political campaign solicitations and to not forward them because doing so implied support for a particular candidate. FIRE wrote President Frank G. Pogue, explaining that this policy unduly restricted the right to freedom… Read more
FIRE Releases Statement on Political Activity on Campus for 2012 Election Season, Following Censorship at Grambling State University and Other Colleges
November 9, 2011
With the 2012 election season getting underway, FIRE is reminding college students and faculty across the nation of their right to engage in political speech on campus. Today, FIRE releases an updated and expanded Policy Statement on Political Activity on Campus detailing the protection for political expression enjoyed by students and faculty at public and… Read more
FIRE Releases Statement on Political Activity on Campus for 2012 Election Season, Following Censorship at Grambling State University and Other Colleges
November 9, 2011
PHILADELPHIA, November 9, 2011—As the 2012 election season begins, the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is reminding college students and faculty across the nation of their right to engage in political speech on campus. FIRE today releases an updated and expanded Policy Statement on Political Activity on Campus detailing the protection for political… Read more
Adam Kissel Discusses Grambling State’s First Amendment Violations with The Pelican Institute
October 20, 2010
The Pelican Institute, a Louisiana-based public policy research organization, recently interviewed FIRE’s Adam Kissel about the ongoing violations of free speech at Grambling State University. Torch readers will remember that GSU circulated an e-mail notice to students prohibiting them from forwarding political e-mails through the gram.edu e-mail system if those e-mails "impl[y] your support" for… Read more
Will Grambling State Respect Free Speech in Time to Make a Difference this Election Season?
October 15, 2010
Time is quickly running out for Grambling State University (GSU) to provide a meaningful response to FIRE’s and the ACLU of Louisiana’s (LA ACLU’s) entreaties to ensure the protection of political speech at GSU. FIRE’s first letter, Torch readers will remember, prompted a policy statement from GSU so troublesome—banning, among other things, "offensive comments" about… Read more
Speech Code of the Month: Grambling State University
October 4, 2010
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for October 2010: Grambling State University. Grambling State University (GSU) has an e-mail policy that bans “the creation or distribution of any disruptive or offensive messages, including offensive comments about race, gender, hair color, disabilities, age, sexual orientation, pornography, religious beliefs and practice, political beliefs, or national origin.”… Read more
Media Spotlight Intensifies on Grambling State University
September 23, 2010
By severely restricting political speech through e-mail, Grambling State University is in violation of the First Amendment—and local and national news outlets are now on the case. FIRE was the first to draw national attention to GSU’s misbehavior, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana (LA ACLU) seconded FIRE’s concerns with its own letter… Read more
Grambling State University Response to FIRE, September 22, 2010
September 22, 2010
September 22, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Vanessa Littleton Phone (318) 533-5337 Email: mediarelations@gram.edu Grambling State University does not prohibit students or employees from political expression. Our policy is as follows: Grambling State University Email Use Policy 1. Grambling State University email system shall not to be used for the creation or distribution… Read more
FIRE and ACLU of Louisiana Release Joint Statement on Grambling State University’s Violations of First Amendment
September 22, 2010
As FIRE noted earlier today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana has echoed FIRE’s concerns over Grambling State University’s (GSU’s) unconstitutional restrictions on the use of university e-mail systems for political speech. GSU has now issued a wholly inadequate statement on the matter that reveals even deeper violations of First Amendment rights at GSU… Read more
Grambling State University Bans Use of E-Mail for Core Political Expression
September 16, 2010
As the 2010 election season enters full swing, Grambling State University (GSU) is prohibiting its students and faculty members from engaging in a wide swath of constitutionally protected political expression. Today’s press release details that the Louisiana public university has forbidden students and faculty from transmitting any "campaign solicitations" via the university’s e-mail system, a… Read more
Grambling State University Bans Use of E-Mail for Core Political Expression
September 16, 2010
GRAMBLING, La., September 16, 2010—As the 2010 election season enters full swing, Grambling State University (GSU) is prohibiting its students and faculty members from engaging in a wide swath of constitutionally protected political expression. The Louisiana public university has forbidden students and faculty from transmitting any “campaign solicitations” via the university’s e-mail system, a ban… Read more
At Grambling, Censorship of Student Paper After Publication of Controversial Pictures
October 2, 2007
Yesterday, Grambling State University (GSU) administrators began an investigation of The Gramblinite, the school’s student newspaper, after the paper published photos of young schoolchildren with a simulated noose around their necks. The children were being taught about racism and lynching in the wake of the publicity surrounding the “Jena Six” incident and the subsequent protests…. Read more
Grambling University Shuts Down Student Newspaper
January 24, 2007
The News-Star in Monroe, Louisiana reports that administrators at Grambling State University have shut down production of the school’s student newspaper, The Gramblinite, until the administration can guarantee greater “quality assurance” of the paper. University Provost Robert Dixon sent a memorandum to the newspaper staff informing them that the newspaper was “suspended for the remainder… Read more