School Spotlight
Keene State College
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Sexual Misconduct Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 1, 2021Sexual 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 MoreDiscrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 1, 2021Discriminatory 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 MoreStudent Handbook: Campus Policies- Threatening or Endangering Others Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 1, 2021Verbal 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 MoreComputer and Network Use Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: July 1, 2021All 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 MoreStudent Handbook: Use of Facilities- Political, Social, and Commercial Activities
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: July 1, 2021To 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
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