School Spotlight
Jackson State University
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Sexual Misconduct Policy- Prohibited Conduct and Definitions
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 14, 2021C. Sexual Harassment Sexual Harassment is any unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would find so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it denies a person equal educational access. Reports of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking do not need to meet the description of “sever... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Decorum Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: July 14, 2021The Jackson State University Student Handbook sets forth expectations and guidelines for appropriate student decorum, and this policy is put in place as a supplement to clarify and extend the dress code. JSU is committed to fostering an educational environment that, consistent with its academic freedom and mission, ... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Violations & Sanctions
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: July 14, 20212.30 DISORDERLY OR DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT. Disorderly or disruptive conduct that unreasonably interferes with University activities or with the legitimate activities of any member of the University community. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 14, 20212.90 HARASSMENT (Verbal and/or Physical). The excessive physical interference with, or abuse of, any person on University-owned or controlled property or while on the premises of, or while in attendance of University-sponsored or supervised events. This policy also applies to social media use. Harassment includes co... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Code of Conduct- Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 14, 20213.93 SEXUAL HARASSMENT. Sexual Harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that if sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive, and objectively offensive to a reasonable person, has the effect of creating a hostile or stressful living, learning, or working environment, or whenever toleration of such conduct ... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: July 14, 2021As an academic community, Jackson State University exists for the pursuit of learning and truth, for the development of students as scholars and citizens, and ultimately, for the well being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. … Students at Jackson St... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Rights and Responsibilities
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: July 14, 2021The University provides forums for the assembly and expression of ideas and opinions, such as the following: 1. “Traditional public forums” include the University’s public streets, sidewalks, and similar common areas. These areas are generally available for expressive activity, planned or spontaneous, for the indivi... Read MoreSex-Based Harassment and Misconduct Policy (Including Grievance Procedure)
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 14, 2021Jacksonville State University prohibits sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes any of the following conduct that is based on sex: … Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person (in the shoes of the complainant) to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a per... Read More
Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning: Tenure Review Considers “Effectiveness in Communications,” “Collegiality”
April 27, 2022
On April 21, 2022, the Institutions of Higher Learning Board of Trustees, which oversees eight Mississippi public universities, amended its tenure review process to grant university presidents the authority to award tenure and to include “effectiveness … and integrity in communications” and “collegiality” as mandatory criteria for consideration. On April 27, FIRE and PEN America… Read more
FIRE, PEN America, condemn new rule forcing some Mississippi universities to consider ‘collegiality’ in tenure review
April 27, 2022
FIRE and PEN America wrote the board of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning today to object to a new rule that forces presidents at eight of the state’s public universities to consider vague standards like “collegiality” when granting faculty tenure. The rule, quietly adopted last Thursday, says college presidents at IHL universities “shall take… Read more
Only one state’s top colleges all earned FIRE’s highest free speech rating. Mississippi just became the second.
December 2, 2019
Jackson State becomes 6th Mississippi college to earn FIRE’s top rating for free speech University removes ban on any showing of X-rated movies, among other changes JACKSON, Miss., Dec. 2, 2019 — Jackson State University eliminated or revised all of its speech policies that conflict with the First Amendment, becoming the sixth institution in Mississippi… Read more
In Mississippi, ‘The Clarion-Ledger’ Reports on Dangers of State Colleges’ Speech Codes
August 16, 2010
In today’s edition of The Clarion-Ledger, the Jackson, Mississippi newspaper reports on speech codes maintained at public colleges statewide. Spurred by FIRE’s recent victory at nearby Hinds Community College, reporter Elizabeth Crisp writes: Students at Mississippi universities may have to watch what they say more than those in other states because of policies that free-speech… Read more
Speech Code of the Month: Jackson State University
August 1, 2008
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for August 2008: Jackson State University in Mississippi. Jackson State’s harassment policy provides, in relevant part, that: The scope of any form of harassment includes language to physical acts which degrades, insult, taunt, or challenges another person by any means of communication, verbal, so as to provoke… Read more