School Spotlight

Macalester College

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Type: Private
Tell Macalester College to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Macalester College 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

  • Student Handbook: Campus Policies and Protocols- Social Networking/Social Media

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    Students accessing social networking/social media services such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and others should carefully read the terms and conditions set forth by such services. … In addition to violation of College policy, the posting of inappropriate material may subject students to criminal a... Read More

  • Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, offensive comments or other conduct based on sex or gender, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature, including sexual violence, when: … such conduc... Read More

  • Harassment and Bias Prevention: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    What is a bias-related incident? Bias-related incidents refer to language, images or behaviors that demonstrate bias against another person based on but not limited to his or her membership in a group, based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age,... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Campus Policies and Protocols- Publicity/Posting

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    Individuals and/or groups will be held accountable for postings that are not respectful of Macalester College community standards. … The following general guidelines apply to postings, fliers, electronic mail announcements or messages, chalking and other forms of printed or written expression: Members of the ... Read More

  • Harassment or Bias Incident Online Report Form

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    This form should be used to report any event believed to have been hate- or bias-motivated and that happened to you at Macalester College or in the Twin Cities area. Your responses can be anonymous unless you chose to include identifying information on this form. … Nature of Incident (check all that apply): De... Read More

  • Employee Handbook: Community Standards- Racial Harassment Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    The College believes that intentional behavior by a member of the College community (faculty, staff or student) that interferes with the full participation in the College community by another member, whether by threats, intimidation, harassment or other acts which are disruptive to participation in the college life,... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Community Responsibilities- Student Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities, Expression and Inquiry in Campus Activities

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    Students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. Read More

  • Student Handbook: Campus Policies and Protocols- Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    In general, harassment includes any verbal, written, or physical conduct that unreasonably interferes with or deprives someone with academic, social or work-related access, benefits, or opportunities in the College community. Harassment that is directed at a person’s actual or perceived race, gender, gender identity... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Community Responsibilities- Student Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities, Preamble

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: April 10, 2020

    Macalester College exists for the transmission of knowledge and the pursuit of truth. Free inquiry, free expression and responsibly free activity are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Worst IT Policies: Macalester College’s ‘Social Media/Social Networking’ policy

    April 29, 2020

    With students having shifted to online learning in the wake of COVID-19, FIRE is highlighting the college and university policies nationwide that most seriously restrict students’ online speech. This is the first in a multi-part series pointing out the country’s worst IT policies. Policies selected for this series either broadly apply to students posting/sending online… Read more

  • Speech Code of the Month: Macalester College

    July 5, 2006

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for July 2006: Macalester College. As a private university, Macalester is not bound by the First Amendment. It is, however, bound by the contractual promises it makes to its students. Macalester’s Student Handbook provides that “[t]he relationships between Macalester College and its students is a legal and… Read more