Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Location: Alva, Oklahoma
Website: http://www.nwosu.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 10th Circuit

Speech Code Rating

Northwestern Oklahoma 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 here.

At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

Red Light Policies

  • Student Handbook: Email Accounts

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    The following behaviors are not permitted on university networks: …

    • Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures

    …

    • Harassing, intimidating, threatening, frightening, humiliating, insulting or attacking others by any means ….
    • Promoting, supporting or celebrating religion or religious institutions….

    » Read More

Yellow Light Policies

  • Student Handbook: Campus Solicitations

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    Solicitations, any dissemination or posting of literature, writing, drawing or marking on an interior or exterior wall or streets with any medium, picketing, or drawing of assemblages or meeting for the purpose of promoting either sales or causes may not be done by an official group, organization, or person without clearance and permission of the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management on the Alva campus and the Coordinator of Student Services on the Enid campus.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Sexual Assault Policy and Procedures 2016

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, & other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:

    a) Submission to such conduct or communication is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of educational benefits, employment, academic evaluations or other academic opportunities,

    b) Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for an employment decision or academic decision affecting such individual, or

    c) Such conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive or persistent and objectively offensive that it has the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment that negatively affects an individual’s academic or employment environment.

    Sexual harassment does not include verbal expressions or written materials that are relevant and appropriately related to course subject matter or curriculum, and this policy shall not abridge academic freedom or the university’s educational mission.

    Sexual harassment can create a hostile environment. Sexual harassment should be reported even if it doesn’t reach the point of creating a hostile environment. A hostile environment is defined as subjectively and objectively offensive and sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of the victim’s educational, employment or university environment.

    Sexual harassment could occur off-campus and still have an effect on an individual’s educational, employment or university environment as well as create a hostile environment. A one-time non-consensual contact could also create a hostile environment.

    Examples of behavior that could be sexual harassment:

    •  Unwelcome, sexual flirtation, advances, or propositions of sexual activity.
    • Asking about someone else’s personal, social or sexual life or about their sexual fantasies, preferences or history.
    • Discussing your own personal sexual fantasies, preferences or history.
    • Repeatedly asking for a date from a person who is not interested.
    • Whistle, cat calls or insulting sounds.
    • Sexually suggestive jokes, innuendoes or turning discussions into sexual topics.
    • Sexually offensive or degrading language used to describe an individual or remarks of a sexual nature to describe a person’s body or clothing.
    • Calling a person a “hunk,” “doll,” “babe,” “sugar,” “honey,” or similar descriptive terms.
    • Displaying sexually demeaning or offensive objects and pictures.
    • Making sexual gestures with hands or body movement.
    • Rating a person’s sexuality.
    • Unwelcomed touching of a person’s body including massaging a person.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Residence Hall Regulations- Room Decorations

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    Pornographic materials (any depiction of nude body parts) may not be displayed.

    » Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    Northwestern Oklahoma State University will neither tolerate nor condone any form of sexual misconduct, whether physical, mental, verbal, or emotional in nature.

    » Read More

  • Northwestern Takes Action to Protect First Amendment Rights

    November 27, 2016

    By Brandon Dutcher at Alva Review-Courier Free speech is a hot topic these days, especially as it relates to America’s college campuses. To see what I mean, look no further than George Will’s latest column (“Higher education is awash with hysteria. That might have helped elect Trump.”)… Read more here.

    » Read More
At present, FIRE does not maintain information on this school's policies.