School Spotlight

Northern Vermont University

Location: Johnson, Vermont
Type: Public
Tell Northern Vermont University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Northern Vermont 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

  • Vermont State Colleges Manual of Policy and Procedures: Non-Discrimination and Prevention of Harassment and Related Unprofessional Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 9, 2020

    Under Vermont law, “harassment” means an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct or communication, including any incident conducted by electronic means, based on or motivated by a person’s or person’s family member’s, actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, national ... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Prohibited Conduct- Section 1

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
    Last updated: April 9, 2020

    Behavior which threatens or endangers the health or safety of oneself or others’ person or property. This includes actions, implied actions, and threatened actions. Examples include (but are not limited to): • Disorderly conduct (including public intoxication or drug impairment, public urination) • Obscene or ... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Prohibited Conduct- Section 13

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: April 9, 2020

    Theft or abuse of the computer or phone systems. Examples of prohibited actions include (but are not limited to): … Use of computing facilities or phone service to send threatening, harassing, obscene, or abusive messages. Read More

  • Student Handbook: The NVU Community Commitment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: April 9, 2020

    Demonstrated through our actions and beliefs we are committed to … A community where freedom of expression is protected … Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • January 2021 Speech Code of the Month: Northern Vermont University

    January 6, 2021

    This January, we hope colleges and universities have put policy reform on their New Year’s resolution lists. After all, the vast majority of public and private institutions across the country ban constitutionally protected speech, putting students at risk of punishment, whether they’re on or off campus. One reason so many colleges maintain restrictive speech codes… Read more

  • Speech Code of the Month: Lyndon State College

    February 9, 2015

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for February 2015: Lyndon State College (LSC) in Vermont. LSC’s “Civility Policy” prohibits “uncivil, disrespectful, or disruptive expressions of opinions including obscenities.” As someone at LSC surely must know, most “obscenities” (commonly understood as curse words) and disrespectful or uncivil language are wholly protected by the First… Read more