Oklahoma State University – Stillwater
Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma
Website: http://www.okstate.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 10th Circuit
Speech Code Rating
Oklahoma State University – Stillwater 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.
Red Light Policies
Office of Equal Opportunity: Title IX
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 29, 2018Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination and therefore prohibited under Title IX. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Student Organization Handbook: Advertising your Student Organization
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: August 29, 2018Registered or recognized student organizations are allowed to post signs, handbills, or fliers in designated areas in buildings and residence halls at Oklahoma State University. All materials to be posted must be registered and approved by the Department of Leadership and Campus Life and, where appropriate, the Office of Residential Life.
Student Conduct Education and Administration: Bullying
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: August 29, 2018What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place with the use of different kinds of technology and social media. It can be used on various sorts of devices such as computers, cell phones, iPads and tablets. It often occurs through the use of social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter. However, it also happens through texting, online chatting and other various forms of communication. It is done to inflict emotional pain and degrade another person or persons.
Examples of Cyberbullying:
- Sending mean or inappropriate text messages and emails
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Cyber bullying violates the following provision of the Student Code of Conduct, which can be found online in Section II. Prohibited Conduct of the Student Code of Conduct:
Harassment, Threats and Bullying: Persistent, severe or pervasive verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, bullying, or other conduct which threatens or endangers the mental or physical health/safety of any person or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm.
1 is 2 Many: Policy Definitions
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 30, 2018Examples of behavior that could be sexual harassment:
- Unwelcomed sexual flirtation, advances or propositions of sexual activities.
- Asking about someone else’s personal, social or sexual life or about their sexual fantasies, preferences or history.
- Discussing one’s own personal sexual fantasies, preferences or history.
- Repeatedly asking for a date from a person who is not interested.
- Whistles, catcalls or insulting sounds.
- Sexually suggestive jokes or 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 movements.
- Rating a person’s sexuality.
- Unwelcomed touching of a person’s body, including massaging a person.
Extracurricular Use of University Facilities, Areas or Media for the Purpose of Expression
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: August 30, 2018The extracurricular use of any scheduled University-controlled facility or area for the purpose of expression shall be preceded by a request made to an authorized designee. A request shall contain the name of the requestor and how he/she can be contacted; the proposed date, time, and location for the contemplated activity; the expected size of the audience; the topic(s) or subject(s) to be addressed; and any other information which may be necessary to accommodate the needs associated with the activity.
Appropriate Use Policy
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: August 30, 2018As members of the University’s community, all users are expected to demonstrate good taste and sensitivity to others in their communications. However, the University cannot protect individuals against the existence or receipt of material that may offend them, and users are warned that they may willingly or unwillingly come across, or be recipients of, material they find offensive. To report material received via email, send a complaint to abuse[at]okstate.edu or Ethics Point.
Gender Discrimination/Sexual Harassment & Title IX Grievance Procedure
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 30, 2018It is the responsibility of faculty and staff to behave in such a manner that their words or actions are not sexually coercive, abusive, or exploitative.
Sexual harassment also can involve relationships among equals such as when repeated advances, demeaning verbal behavior, or offensive physical contact interfere with an individual’s ability to work and study productively. The creation or condonation of hostile working or educational environments will not be tolerated and students and employees at all levels are subject to potential disciplinary action if engaged in such actions.
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“Sexual harassment,” as prohibited under federal and state law and University policy, is defined as unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, and may include unwelcomed sexual advances, sexual assaults, or requests for sexual favors. This and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when: … C. such conduct is sufficiently serious that it has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment. Harassment does not include verbal expressions or written material that is relevant and appropriately related to course subject matter or curriculum, and this policy shall not abridge academic freedom or the University’s educational mission.
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The following list of examples of conduct prohibited by this policy statement is intended to aid in the understanding of this area. Conduct prohibited by this policy statement may include, but is not limited to:
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B. NON-VERBAL
Displaying sexually demeaning or offensive objects and pictures. Nude or semi-nude photographs and drawings, or computer software is very likely to be viewed as sexual harassment.Staring repeatedly at someone, blocking another person’s path or otherwise restricting their movements. Such acts, particularly when in conjunction with other acts or comments, may be viewed as sexual harassment. Invading a person’s personal body space, such as by standing closer than appropriate or necessary for the work being done may similarly constitute sexual harassment.
Bringing physical items to work which express sexually offensive comments regarding men or women. Messages of this nature such as might be contained on coffee mugs, hats, or tee shirts may be offensive and be viewed as sexual harassment.
Making sexual gestures with hands or body movements. Looking a person up and down in a suggestive or intimidating manner may also constitute sexual harassment.
Letters, gifts, or materials of a sexual nature. Such attention may not be appreciated in the manner intended, may be offensive to the subject of the attention, and may constitute sexual harassment.
Student Code of Conduct: Prohibited Conduct
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 29, 2018Sexual harassment: Making unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical contact or communication of a sexual nature when: … such conduct is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent and both subjectively and objectively offensive that has the effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment which negatively affects an individual’s academic or employment environment.
Student Code of Conduct: Prohibited Conduct
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 29, 2018Engaging in verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, bullying or other conduct that threatens or endangers the mental or physical health/safety of any person or causes reasonable apprehension of such harm that is persistent, severe or pervasive and is subjectively offensive to the complainant and objectively offensive to a reasonable person.
Extracurricular Use of University Facilities, Areas or Media for the Purpose of Expression
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: August 30, 2018[T]he University must recognize and protect free inquiry and free expression as indispensable components of the critical examination of philosophies and ideas. Given the unique mission of educational institutions in a democratic society, this inquiry should be more open and vigorous, and should consequently have greater protection than in society at large, provided that such inquiry does not infringe upon the rights of others. Commitment to free inquiry and expression creates a strong presumption against prohibition of expression based upon its content. This philosophy is intended to apply to all forms of expression occurring at the University and any uncertainty regarding the application or operation of this policy statement shall be resolved in a manner consistent with this philosophy.
Residence Life Handbook: Compliance
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 21, 2018Interfering with staff while they are performing their duties will not be tolerated. Such interference includes conduct that causes a material and substantial disruption, unlawful harassment, “true threats”, intimidation, and other conduct in violation of state or federal law or of other applicable university policies.
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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.
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Thought Reform 101
March 1, 2000
At Wake Forest University last fall, one of the few events designated as “mandatory” for freshman orientation was attendance at Blue Eyed, a filmed racism awareness workshop in which whites are abused, ridiculed, made to fail, and taught helpless passivity so that they can identify with “a person of color for a day.” In Swarthmore College’s dormitories, in the fall of 1998, first-year students were asked to line up by skin color, from lightest to darkest, and to step forward and talk about how they felt concerning their place in that line. Indeed, at almost all of our campuses, some […]
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Another Victory for Free Speech on Campus: Oklahoma State Settles Lawsuit with Campus Pro-Life Group; Revises Free Speech Policies
March 3, 2014
This past Friday, Oklahoma State University (OSU) settled a lawsuit with Cowboys for Life, a pro-life student organization that alleged the university had unjustly interfered with its ability to engage in expressive activity on campus. According to the lawsuit, brought by Alliance Defending Freedom, OSU used its free speech policies to prevent Cowboys for Life from displaying abortion-related photos and distributing pro-life literature on campus.
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