Kentucky State University

Location: Frankfort, Kentucky
Website: http://www.kysu.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 6th Circuit

Tell Kentucky State University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Kentucky State University has been given the speech code rating Red. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. Read more here.

At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

Red Light Policies

  • Student Code of Conduct: Offenses Against Persons

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    Offenses against persons include any contact or communication that threatens, harasses, or injures a person. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    1. Physical abuse

    2. Excessive physical discomfort

    3. Sexual harassment

    4. Sexual contact without permission

    5. Sexual exploitation

    6. Sexual assault

    7. Stalking

    8. Verbal abuse or harassment

    9. Threats

    10. Intimidation

    11. Coercion

    12. Embarrassment

    » Read More

Yellow Light Policies

  • Student Handbook: The Thorobred Creed

    Speech Code Category: Policies Restricting Freedom of Conscience
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    AS A TRUE THOROBRED … I will respect the dignity, rights and property of all persons;
    …
    I will discourage bigotry, while striving to learn from differences in people, ideas and opinions;
    …
    In thought, word and deed, I will support excellence in the learning, growth and development of others;
    …
    Allegiance to these ideals requires each Thorobred to refrain from and discourage behaviors which threaten the freedom and respect every individual deserves.

    » Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Dress Code

    Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    Examples of Inappropriate Attire and/or Appearance … Clothing with derogatory, offensive, and/or lewd messages either in words or pictures.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Guidelines Governing Time, Place and Manner of Meetings, Demonstrations and Other Assemblies

    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    Planned or spontaneous demonstrations, meetings, or assemblies may be conducted in those appropriate areas of the campus which are regularly available to the public, provided such demonstrations, meetings, or other assemblies meet the following conditions: They:

    a. Are conducted in a lawful and orderly manner;

    b. Do not prohibit vehicular or pedestrian traffic;

    c. Do not interfere with classes, other scheduled meetings, events, and ceremonies or with other educational processes of the University;

    d. Are conducted only with specific authorization from the Vice President for Student Affairs or other appropriate University official when held in University-owned or -leased facilities; and

    e. Are confined to the PWL Jones Practice Facility when conducted without specific authorization.

    » Read More

  • Kentucky State University Title IX and Gender Based Violence Student Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    Harassment means conduct directed toward the complainant that is based on a person’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or expression. Conduct which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s employment or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive or abusive environment for the individual. Examples include, but are not limited to, suggestive or inappropriate acts such as comments, innuendoes, or physical contact based on one’s actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression and is not limited to repeated or continuing unwelcome contact that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress and that actually causes the complainant to suffer emotional distress. Harassment does not include constitutionally protected activity or conduct that serves a legitimate purpose.

    » Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Cyberbullying Policy

    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    Cyberbullying is repeated, unwanted, or aggressive behavior directed toward another through an electronic device or social media platform.

    Examples of cyberbullying include, but are not limited to, the following actions directed toward another:

    1. Texting or emailing insults or rumors

    2. Posting derogatory comments on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media sites

    3. Threats made via email or other technology

    4. Coercing or misleading another to share embarrassing information

    5. Forwarding private text messages or emails with the intent to hurt or embarrass

    6. Posting, texting, or emailing embarrassing photos or videos

    7. Posing as an imposter online to embarrass or cause harm

    8. Creating a website or social media page to ridicule

    » Read More

  • Student Code of Conduct: Offenses Disrupting Order or Disregarding Health and Safety

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    Engaging in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, or boisterous behavior or being unreasonably loud.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Complaint and Grievance Procedures- Harassment

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    KSU is committed to maintaining the campus community as a place of work and study for students, free of harassment, intimidation, and exploitation. The University does not tolerate behavior that constitutes sexual or other unlawful harassment. Harassment in any form, including verbal and physical conduct, visual displays, threats, demands and retaliation is unlawful and will not be tolerated. It is University policy that any form of harassment on the basis of sex, race, national origin, religion or other categories protected by law or other forms of harassment of or abusive treatment not be tolerated at the Kentucky State University.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Posters, Handbills, Notices

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: October 10, 2018

    Organizations distributing/posting publicity deemed inappropriate (ex. foul language, photos unbecoming a classy male/female, etc) shall be held accountable and disciplinary action will be taken.

    » Read More

  • Appropriate Usage Policy

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: February 13, 2018

    Though not exhaustive, the following list is provided to emphasize that these activities are NOT allowed on KSU network or computer systems: … Possessing, posting, accessing or distributing obscene materials. Examples include but are not limited to materials that contain pornography, racial slurs, expletives.

    » Read More

Green Light Policies
At present, FIRE does not maintain information on this school's policies.

  • Speech Code of the Month: Kentucky State University

    February 14, 2018

    FIRE announces our Speech Code of the Month for February 2018: Kentucky State University. Kentucky State’s updated Student Code of Conduct contains an expanded list of “offenses against persons” that — in addition to wholly reasonable bans on physical abuse, harassment, threats, and the like — includes a ban on “embarrassment.” Yes, you read that correctly — at Kentucky State, you can face disciplinary action for embarrassing another person. This directly affects students’ ability to engage in unfettered, free-wheeling debate and argument on important political and social issues. In the heat of a political argument or contest, people often say […]

    » Read More