School Spotlight

Middle Tennessee State University

Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Type: Public
Tell Middle Tennessee State University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Middle Tennessee 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
This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech. This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech. This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech.

  • 100: Use of Campus Property and Facilities Scheduling

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: August 24, 2020

    Except as set forth below, affiliated entities/individuals may gather and use the generally accessible, open, outdoor areas of campus as traditional public forums for free speech and distribution of literature. (Note: outdoor areas designated as “unrestricted” on the Event Coordination Forms website are ... Read More

  • MTSU Student Unions Banner Space and Other Forms of Advertising

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: August 24, 2020

    The Student Unions department reserves the right to decline any posting that is deemed inappropriate. Read More

  • 930: Electronic Mail Acceptable Use

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: October 17, 2020

    Acceptable use must be legal, ethical, reflect honesty, and show restraint in the consumption of shared resources. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property, ownership of information, system security mechanisms, and the individual’s rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation, harassment, and unwar... Read More

  • 103: Free Speech on Campus

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: August 24, 2020

    A.  MTSU affirms that students have a fundamental constitutional right to free speech. B.  MTSU is committed to giving students the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn, and discuss any issue, subject to limitations set forth in this policy, or in state or federal law. C.  MTSU is com... Read More

  • 27: Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment Based on Sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression)

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: August 24, 2020

    Sexual Harassment (student-on-student): Pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-7-2406, for purposes of allegations of sexual harassment where both the accused and the accuser are students, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct directed toward a person on the basis of sex that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively of... Read More

  • 26: Discrimination and Harassment Based on Protected Categories Other Than Sex

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: August 24, 2020

    Harassment (student-on-student): Pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-7-2406, for purposes of allegations of harassment where both the accused and the accuser are students, harassment is defined as unwelcome conduct directed toward a person on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, disability, age (as app... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Unconstitutional Security Fee Defeated at Middle Tennessee State University

    February 3, 2010

    The Alliance Defense Fund has announced a victory for free speech against yet another unconstitutional security fee. Pro-Life Collegians, a student group at Middle Tennessee State University, was required by the university to pay a fee for campus security to place exhibits through “Justice for All,” a pro-life advocacy group. According to ADF, no university… Read more