School Spotlight
Indiana University South Bend
Speech Code Rating
Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct: Purpose of the Code
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 25, 2021A student who accepts admission to Indiana University agrees to: … behave in a manner that is respectful of the dignity of others, treating others with civility and understanding … Read MoreStudent Incident Reporting: Incident Types
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: September 25, 2021Understand what incidents to report Trust your best judgment. If you believe a student’s safety, body, beliefs, or rights have been violated, report it. Read the following definitions to know how to identify incidents. … Harassment A form of discriminatory behavior consisting of physical or verbal conduct that i... Read MorePolicy UA-03: Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct- FOR UNIVERSITY COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 25, 2021Conduct on the basis of sex or that is sexual in nature that satisfies one or more of the following: … Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person, to be so severe, pervasive or persistent, and objectively offensive, that it effectively denies a person equal access to the university’s education program or ac... Read MoreCode of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct: Responsibilities
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 25, 2021Verbal abuse of another person, including the following: a. An express or implied threat to: 1. Interfere with an individual’s personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or participation in university-sponsored activities and that under the circumstances causes the person to have a reasonable apprehension that s... Read MoreCode of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct: Right to Freedom from Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 25, 2021Discriminatory harassment is defined as conduct that targets an individual based upon age, color, religion, disability, race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or veteran’s status and that adversely affects a term or condition of an individual’s education, ... Read MorePolicy UA-03: Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct- FOR TITLE IX COMPLAINT RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 25, 2021Conduct on the basis of sex or that is sexual in nature that satisfies one or more of the following: … Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s education program or activity. Read MoreCode of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct: Freedom of Association, Expression, Advocacy and Publication
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 25, 2021In accordance with the state and federal Constitution and university policy, the university recognizes the rights of all students to engage in discussion, to express thoughts and opinions, and to assemble, speak, write, publish or invite speakers on any subject without university interference or fear of university d... Read More
Indiana University South Bend: Student Sanctioned for ‘Vagina Monologues’ Interview
April 2, 2007
Indiana University-South Bend reversed its punishment of a student reporter who was found guilty of “conduct that is lewd, indecent or obscene” for interviewing members of a campus group about their production of the play “The Vagina Monologues.” Student Robert Francis appealed to FIRE, which successfully pressured the university to overturn its unjust decision.
This Month in FIRE History: Florida College Bans ‘The Passion of the Christ’
January 29, 2009
In ten years, FIRE has seen astounding double standards at work on campuses across the country. However, even we were shocked by our case at Indian River Community College (IRCC) in January 2005, one of the worst cases of hypocrisy FIRE has ever seen. The case began when IRCC prevented the Christian Student Fellowship (CSF)… Read more
This Month in FIRE History: IUSB and Double Standards for Student Speech
September 18, 2008
In our nearly ten-year history, FIRE has seen many absurd cases in which students have been punished for exercising their First Amendment rights. One of our more interesting cases was finally resolved last September, when Indiana University–South Bend overturned its punishment of student reporter Robert Francis, whose only offense was asking questions of an actress… Read more
IUSB Vindicates Student in ‘Vagina Monologues’ Case; Concerns Remain
September 20, 2007
Today FIRE announced that Indiana University–South Bend (IUSB) has made a significant step in reversing its series of unjust actions against student journalist Robert Francis. Francis was covering a production of “The Vagina Monologues” for the campus newspaper back in February when he interviewed students and professors appearing in the play about their roles. Being… Read more
Victory for Freedom of Speech at Indiana University–South Bend
September 20, 2007
SOUTH BEND, Ind., September 20, 2007—Indiana University–South Bend (IUSB) has reversed its punishment of a student reporter who was found guilty of “conduct that is lewd, indecent or obscene” for interviewing members of a campus group about their production of the play “The Vagina Monologues.” Student Robert Francis appealed to the Foundation for Individual Rights… Read more