School Spotlight

Norfolk State University

Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

Norfolk 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
    FIRE Speech Code Memorandum for Norfolk State University

  • Student Activities & Leadership: Event Scheduling- Posting Information

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: February 3, 2021

    All flyers/ posters that are hung anywhere on campus must first be taken Event Scheduling on the 2nd floor of the Student Center and stamped for approval. You must have a confirmed event in order to have your flyers stamped. Approved fliers are to be posted on bulletin boards only. Posting of fliers is prohibited on... Read More

  • BOV Policy # 05 (2015): Title IX: Sexual Violence, Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 3, 2021

    “Sexual Harassment” is any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, graphic, physical, or otherwise, when the conditions outlined in provisions (1) and/or (2), below, are present. “Gender-Based Harassment” includes harassment based... Read More

  • Housing & Residence Life: Guide to Community Living

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: February 3, 2021

    Harassment to include but not limited to bullying/cyber-bullying, intimidation and/or hate crimes. Read More

  • Administrative Policy # 48-01 (2014): Acceptable Use of Technological Resources

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: February 3, 2021

    Within reason, freedom of speech and access to information for business and academic purposes will be honored. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to: … 3. Intentionally downloading and/or transmitting fraudulent, threatening, obscene, intimidating, defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, or othe... Read More

  • Administrative Policy # 27-02 (2014): Code of Student Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 3, 2021

    The following are violations of the Code of Student Conduct: … Harassment is conduct so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively prevents the victim’s access to educational opportunity or benefit. … Threatening behavior whether written or verbal, towards any member of the Universi... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Speech Code of the Month: Norfolk State University

    November 7, 2012

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for November 2012: Norfolk State University in Virginia. Norfolk State, a public university in Virginia, maintains an Acceptable Use of Technological Resources policy (PDF) that unlawfully restricts protected expression in a number of different ways. The policy defines “technological resources” quite broadly to include “information systems; computer… Read more