School Spotlight

Keene State College

Location: Keene, New Hampshire
Type: Public

Speech Code Rating

Keene State College has been given the speech code rating Green. Green light institutions are those colleges and universities whose policies nominally protect free speech. Read more

  • Student Handbook: Campus Policies- Threatening or Endangering Others Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Verbal threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person is prohibited, be it through face-to-face interactions or the use of social media and/or electronic devices. Read More

  • Student Handbook: Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Sexual Harassment is a form of unlawful gender (sex) discrimination. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favors, or other unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that violates College policy when: … Such behavior is so severe and pervasive that a reasonable p... Read More

  • Computer and Network Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    All users may not … Use computing or network resources for profit, commercial use or for the purpose of lobbying that connotes College involvement or endorsement of any political candidate or ballot initiative Read More

  • Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    Discriminatory harassment is any severe, pervasive or objectively offensive conduct directed to an individual or group of individuals because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran’s status, disability or other legally prot... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Use of Facilities- Political, Social, and Commercial Activities

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: September 9, 2020

    To facilitate robust debate and the free exchange of ideas, students and non-students shall be permitted to engage in free speech activities and distribute literature on Oya Hill on a space available basis. This use may be without permission from the College so long as the area has not been previously reserved or sc... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Keene State College becomes third institution in New Hampshire to earn FIRE’s coveted ‘green light’ rating

    August 29, 2018

    KEENE, N.H., Aug. 29, 2018 — A third New Hampshire college has honored the state’s motto of “Live Free or Die” by revising all of its speech policies that conflicted with the First Amendment. Today, Keene State College earns the highest rating for free speech from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. Keene State… Read more

  • FIRE Testifies in Support of Free Expression Bill at New Hampshire State Legislature

    February 4, 2016

    On Tuesday, January 26, I had the privilege of testifying before the New Hampshire House Education Committee on HB 1561, a bill to protect freedom of expression at New Hampshire’s public colleges and universities by prohibiting the use of unconstitutional “free speech zones.” This bill is important for New Hampshire because at least two of… Read more

  • Speech Code of the Month: Keene State College

    November 2, 2009

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for November 2009: Keene State College in New Hampshire. Keene State’s “Statement on Sexist Language,” found in the college’s Student Handbook, states that “Keene State College will not tolerate language that is sexist and promotes negative stereotypes and demeans members of our community.” Keene State is a… Read more