School Spotlight

Kennesaw State University

Location: Kennesaw, Georgia
Type: Public
Tell Kennesaw State University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Kennesaw State University has been given the speech code rating Yellow. Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more

  • Student Code of Conduct: Bullying and Cyberbullying

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    28) Bullying and Cyberbullying. Bullying and cyberbullying are repeated and/or severe aggressive behaviors that intimidate or intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally, and are not protected by freedom of expression. Read More

  • Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct, based on sex or on gender stereotypes, that is implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of employment or status in a course, program, or activity; is a basis for employment or educational decisions; or is sufficiently severe, persistent, or per... Read More

  • Computer Usage Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    No one shall use the University’s computing resources to harm the person, property, or reputation of another. Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    23) Harassment. Any unwelcome conduct based on actual or perceived status including: (sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, sexual orientation or other protected status). Any unwelcome conduct shoul... Read More

  • Kennesaw State University Freedom of Expression Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: April 19, 2019

    Kennesaw State University (“KSU”) recognizes and is committed to upholding the First Amendment rights of all individuals, including freedom of speech and peaceable assembly. … For students, student organizations, and other members of the KSU community, open outdoor areas of campus are venues for expression. Th... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • Kennesaw State settles two student speech lawsuits in one month

    November 5, 2018

    Kennesaw State University in Georgia settled two lawsuits last month filed on behalf of several students and student organizations, agreeing to revise several unconstitutional speech codes and pay attorney’s fees to Alliance Defending Freedom, counsel in both cases. In late October, Kennesaw State settled Ratio Christi of Kennesaw State University v. Olens, filed after university… Read more

  • Two universities’ responses to cheerleader protests demonstrate need for principled student-athlete speech policies

    September 18, 2018

    In late August, Southern Illinois University rescinded a restrictive student-athlete speech policy it passed in response to its cheerleaders kneeling during a national anthem before a football game. About a week later, cheerleaders at Kennesaw State University sued their school for prohibiting them from engaging in the same expressive conduct. This lawsuit, and SIU’s waffling… Read more

  • REPORT: Artists clash with campus censors

    July 10, 2018

    Art purged for being “one-sided,” among other excuses Censors, often not understanding the message, ban art rather than grapple with its meaning PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 2018 — Art censorship is nothing new. Spanish conquistadors smashed ceramics of ancient Peruvian cultures that portrayed gay and lesbian sex. The Roman Catholic Church of the 15th century was… Read more

  • Kennesaw State Plans to Restore Censored Art, Still Attempts to Control Message

    March 17, 2014

    Earlier this month, Kennesaw State University (KSU) offered to reinstall an exhibit that was removed just before the grand opening of its new Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art because of concerns that it wasn’t “celebratory” enough for the occasion and might might offend some visitors. The exhibit, created by Georgia State University professor Ruth Stanford, chronicled the history of writer Corra Harris’ homestead and included text by Harris in which she rationalized the lynching of African-Americans. Stanford has agreed to allow KSU to restore the exhibit, but expressed concern that KSU “continues to control the conversation” surrounding the art.

  • Kennesaw State Releases Self-Contradictory Statement on Art Installation Controversy

    March 7, 2014

    Kennesaw State University has posted a statement to its website attempting once again to explain its decision to remove the exhibit. The statement plainly acknowledges that KSU administrators considered the subject matter of the installation.

  • Students Create Free Speech Walls to Celebrate First Amendment

    September 27, 2013

    Students at colleges across the country are encouraging their peers to exercise their right to free speech by building “free speech walls” on their campuses—displays where students can write or draw whatever they want.  Free speech walls are a great way for students to share ideas in a public way. For example, student group Dorm… Read more