School Spotlight

McNeese State University

Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

McNeese 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

  • Equity and Inclusion Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 12, 2019

    The use of any term or the commission of any act that is sexually derogatory or discriminatory will not be tolerated. Read More

  • Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: April 12, 2019

    Users are reminded to exercise appropriate language, behavior, and style in their use of IT resources. … Users found to have violated this policy may be subject to the following: Suspension of access to IT resources Penalties and disciplinary action, including expulsion or dismissal Referral of suspected viol... Read More

  • Placement of Printed Materials on Campus Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: July 26, 2019

    To insure that McNeese State University maintains an attractive campus appearance and protects the rights of all campus organizations and individuals as well as University property, the following rules relating to the posting of all printed materials (papers, signs, posters, and banners of any type) on campus are to... Read More

  • Public Forum Regulations Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: April 12, 2019

    As a publicly–supported institution within the University of Louisiana System, McNeese State University values the publicly accessible nature of its campus and facilities and embraces the free and open exchange of ideas in the context of a diverse community of teachers and learners. The University also recogni... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: July 26, 2019

    Abuse—Physical abuse (or threat thereof) against person(s) which threatens or endangers the health or safety of person(s). … Harassment—Harassment is conduct so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive, and that so undermines and detracts from the victims’ educational experience, that the victim-stud... Read More

  • Anti-Bullying Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: July 26, 2019

    McNeese State University defines bullying as “engaging in repeated actions which cause another person to experience intimidation, the unlawful use of physical force or harassment that is so severe, prevasive, and objectively offensive that it denies the victim equal access to the university’s resources o... Read More

  • Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: July 26, 2019

    Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature when i) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s employment or education; ii) submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as the basis for a decision affecting that person’s employme... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • Speech Code of the Month: McNeese State University

    September 6, 2018

    A common misstep FIRE encounters in college speech codes is the inclusion of more than one definition of a particular type of misconduct within a single policy. These policies typically provide a broad and speech-restrictive definition of the term, followed by a more reasonable definition. Regardless of whether the broader definition is applied in practice,… Read more

  • McNeese State Revises ‘Public Forum’ Policy But Still Prohibits ‘Derogatory’ Speech

    May 29, 2009

    One of FIRE’s worst Speech Codes of the Month ever—McNeese State University’s “Public Forum” policy—has been updated in another FIRE victory for the freedoms of speech and association. The policy now clarifies that students on campus enjoy the freedom to protest and demonstrate, a freedom to which they are legally and morally entitled. Long time… Read more

  • Today’s ‘Campus Alert’: Stifling Speech

    July 9, 2007

    Check out today’s Campus Alert in the New York Post, where we highlight similarities between Singapore’s overly zealous regulation of public life and the tactics often used by American universities trying to stifle student speech. As Samantha pointed out in a recent blog, to speak freely in Singapore, citizens must use a “Speakers’ Corner”—a small,… Read more

  • Speech Code of the Month: McNeese State University

    July 3, 2007

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for July 2007: McNeese State University. This public university in Louisiana maintains a set of “Public Forum Regulations” that quarantine free speech to just two areas of campus and place onerous restrictions on the use of those areas. The regulations provide that students may exercise their right… Read more

  • American Public Universities Take Cue from Singapore

    June 28, 2007

    When you think of a place where order takes precedence over liberty, where the government regulates every minute aspect of civil life, you may well think of Singapore. Over the years, Singapore has made the news for everything from caning an American teenager for vandalism to banning chewing gum to fining people for failing to… Read more