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.

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

Red Light Policies

Yellow Light Policies

  • Extracurricular Use of University Facilities, Areas or Media for the Purpose of Expression

    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    The 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.

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  • Residence Life Handbook: Compliance and Civility

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    Interfering with staff while they are performing their duties, being uncooperative, uncivil, or verbally abusive to staff will not be tolerated.

    The Department of Housing and Residential Life interprets the use of profanity, vulgar language, and derogatory comments as verbal abuse and uncivil discourse. It is expected that residents and Housing and Residential Life staff communicate with civility in all circumstances.

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  • Gender Discrimination/Sexual Harassment & Title IX Grievance Procedure

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

    It 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.

    …

    “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.

    …

    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:
    …
    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.

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  • Office of Equal Opportunity: Gender Discrimination & Sexual Harassment Brochure

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

    Sexual harassment, as prohibited under federal law, state law, and University policy, is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, sexual assaults, or requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This conduct constitutes sexual harassment when: … Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment.

    …

     

    The following types of conduct may constitute sexual harassment:

    • Inappropriate touching, patting, or pinching
    • Displaying sexually, demeaning or offensive objects and pictures
    • Physical assault or coerced sexual activity
    • Sexually suggestive jokes or innuendos; derogatory, degrading, or sexist remarks about a person’s body, clothing, or sexual activities
    • Suggestive or insulting sounds, whistles, catcalls
    • Obscene phone calls, e-mail, or gestures

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Green Light Policies

  • Information Technology: Appropriate Computer Use

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

    Using University electronic communication facilities to send fraudulent, harassing, obscene, threatening, or other unlawful messages is prohibited.

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  • Extracurricular Use of University Facilities, Areas or Media for the Purpose of Expression

    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 15, 2016

    [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.

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  • Student Code of Conduct: Prohibited Conduct

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

    Engaging in subjectively and objectively offensive 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.

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  • Student Code of Conduct: Prohibited Conduct

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

    Sexual 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.

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  • Big mandate on campus

    September 17, 2002

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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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