School Spotlight
Howard University
Location:
Washington, District Of Columbia
Type:
Private
Speech Code Rating
Howard 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.
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Student Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Prohibited Behaviors
Speech Code Rating: Red
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 9, 2022Harassment Harassment is engaging in verbal, electronic, visual, written or physical behavior directed at an individual or group that, in the view of a reasonable person, is likely to provoke or otherwise result in a negative or injurious response, mental or emotional distress, or related reaction or consequence. Th... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Prohibited Behaviors
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: August 9, 2022D. Bullying Unwanted, aggressive and/or hostile behavior, from an individual or group that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and that is intended to humiliate, mentally or physically injure or intimidate and/or control another individual or group of individuals. Bullying can be one single act or can be re... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Guidelines for Posting and Distribution of Posters/Flyers/Materials at Howard University
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: August 9, 2022Before displaying any advertisement, including signs, posters or placards, on bulletin boards or other display spaces at Howard University, the university employee, organization, department or recognized student organization must obtain authorization from the Scheduling Office. The name(s) of the sponsoring organiza... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Prohibited Behaviors
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 9, 2022Disruptive Conduct A. Acting in a manner that impairs, interferes with or obstructs the orderly conduct, processes, or functions of the University or that interferes with or negatively impacts any person or persons in the classroom or on University owned or operated property or at any University-sponsored event R... Read MoreStudent Handbook: (INTERIM) TITLE IX POLICY ON PROHIBITED SEXUAL AND GENDER-BASED HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE AND OTHER FORMS OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 9, 2022Sexual Harassment – Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: … such conduct creates a hostile environment. A hostile environment exists when the conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive, both subjectively and o... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Student Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: August 9, 2022As members of the University Community, all students are guaranteed freedom of expression, inquiry and assembly; the right to form a student government; the right to organize groups; the right to join associations in support of any cause or common interest; and the right to peacefully protest, provided that such act... Read MorePolicy Number 400-005: Policy Prohibiting Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation- Sexual Harassment I
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 9, 2022Sexual Harassment I – This category of prohibited conduct has been defined by the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education. It includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, and is defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of t... Read MoreAcceptable Use Policy for Computer and Network Systems
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: August 9, 2022Unlawful Messages Use of electronic communication facilities (such as e-mail, instant messaging, talk, chat rooms, threaded discussions or systems with similar functions) to send fraudulent, harassing, obscene, threatening, or other messages that are a violation of applicable federal, state or other law or Universit... Read More
FIRE surveyed roughly 37,000 students at 154 colleges and universities about the climate for free speech at their institutions. In 2021, FIRE released rankings of those schools, based on a number of factors, including openness, tolerance, self-expression, administrative support for free speech, and campus policies, scoring overall speech climate on a scale from 0-100. See the full report on FIRE’s 2021 College Free Speech Rankings for more information.
Rankings |
|
| Overall Ranking | 117/154 |
| Ideological Diversity | 75/159 |
Overall / out of a top score of 100 |
|
| Overall Score | 57.75 |
| Openness | 11.55 |
| Tolerance (Liberals) | 12.25 |
| Tolerance (Conservatives) | 6.47 |
| Administrative Support | 6.38 |
| Comfort | 17.83 |
| Disruptive Conduct | 9.27 |
| Speech Climate | |
| Supported Scholars | |
| Sanctioned Scholars | |
| Successful Disinvitations | |
| Speech Code | RED |
Howard University: Professor Subjected to 504-Day Investigation and Sanctions for Hypothetical Test Question Involving Waxing
July 6, 2017
On May 4, 2017, Howard University law professor Reginald Robinson was deemed responsible for sexual harassment after two students complained about a test question involving a Brazilian wax and an upset client.
Law professor still subject to sanctions from Howard University for Brazilian wax hypothetical on quiz
December 19, 2017
Back in June, FIRE wrote to Howard University after it punished law professor Reginald Robinson for including on a quiz a question involving a client receiving a Brazilian wax. We reported in July that a tentative agreement between Robinson and the university had been reached. Unfortunately, that tentative agreement fell through, and the case remains… Read more
BREAKING: Howard University professor reports settlement in Brazilian wax case
July 14, 2017
Howard University has reached a tentative agreement with the law professor it found responsible for sexual harassment over a test question about a hypothetical Brazilian wax. This afternoon, professor Reginald Robinson’s attorney, Gaillard T. Hunt, released the following statement: We have discussed the case with the University and we believe we have reached a mutually… Read more
Ouch! Brazilian wax test question nets Howard University professor a 504-day Title IX investigation, sanctions
July 6, 2017
Case is part of a larger pattern of colleges and universities punishing constitutionally protected expression under the guise of addressing sexual harassment. WASHINGTON, July 6, 2017 — A test question about hot wax has landed one Howard University professor in hot water with Title IX investigators. On May 4, law professor Reginald Robinson was deemed… Read more
President Obama’s Howard Commencement Address: “Let Them Talk” (VIDEO)
May 9, 2016
On Saturday, President Obama spoke to Howard University’s graduating class of 2016. Over the years, the historic institution, which was established by the Freedmen’s Bureau after President Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, has provided a platform for an array of voices, including artists, doctors, and civil rights activists. It’s therefore only natural that President Obama… Read more
Passion to Action: Howard U. Students Speak Out Against Sexual Assault
April 11, 2016
At the end of the 2015 fall semester, FIRE (and the nation) began to see a wide range of student activism, from the protests at the University of Missouri to advocacy for free speech rights at the University of South Carolina. As FIRE’s communication coordinator, I have had a few opportunities to travel to college… Read more