Old Dominion University

Location: Norfolk, Virginia
Website: http://www.odu.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 4th Circuit

Tell Old Dominion University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Old Dominion 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 here.

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

  • Student Organization Handbook: Webb Center & Outdoor Space Scheduling Policy

    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: November 6, 2017

    The following outdoor areas are available for reservations through Virtual EMS: Kaufman Mall, Whitehurst Beach, Whitehurst Field, Williamsburg Lawn, Bolling Square, Runte Quad, Perry Library/ Engineering Field, Powhatan Pavilion, and Dominion House Lawn.

    …

    Free Speech events or forums may occur at outside reserved areas of campus. Outside space for the purpose of free speech can be reserved by student organizations or individual students. This is the only purpose for which individual students can reserve space on campus. The content of the speech itself is not sponsored or otherwise endorsed or censored by ODU. It is solely sponsored by the student or student organization.

    » Read More

  • University Policy 1005: Discrimination Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: November 6, 2017

    Harassment – A form of discrimination in which unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct is directed toward an individual on the basis of his or her protected characteristics or statuses by any member of the University community. Harassment does not have to include intent to harm or involve repeated incidents. Harassment violates this policy when it creates a hostile environment, as defined below.

    Hostile Environment – May be created by unwelcome conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive and objectively offensive that it interferes with, limits or denies the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from educational programs, services, opportunities, or activities or the individual’s employment access, benefits or opportunities. Mere subjective offensiveness is not enough to create a hostile environment.

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    Sexual Harassment – A form of discrimination based on sex. It is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other conduct of a sexual nature including: verbal (e.g., specific demands for sexual favors, sexual innuendoes, sexually suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, or sexual threats); non-verbal (e.g., sexually suggestive emails, other writings, articles or documents, objects or pictures, graphic commentaries, suggestive or insulting sounds or gestures, leering, whistling, or obscene gestures); or physical (e.g., touching, pinching, brushing the body, any unwelcome or coerced sexual activity, including sexual assault). Sexual harassment, including sexual assault, can involve persons of the same or different sexes. Sexual harassment may also include sex-based harassment directed toward stereotypical notions of gender identity or a failure to conform to those gender stereotypes.

    The types of Sexual Harassment prohibited by this policy are … (2) Hostile Environment, which occurs when verbal, non-verbal and/or physical conduct is sexual and/or based on sex, gender, gender identify or sexual orientation (actual or perceived), unwelcome, and sufficiently severe and pervasive to interfere with a person’s work/learning program performance or to create a hostile, intimidating or offensive environment.

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  • University Policy 2202: Display of Art on Campus

    Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
    Last updated: November 6, 2017

    Old Dominion University strongly supports the exercise of free speech on campus and is committed to the position that displaying works of art represents both freedom of expression and a true form of education. It is of equal concern to the University, however, that certain works of art – which could be judged as offensive by some – not be placed in locations where individuals of varying ages, representing a diversity of creeds, cultures and perspectives, either pass or congregate. In those instances, it is more appropriate to place the art in a location where access is by deliberate choice.

    » Read More

  • Board of Visitors Policy 1530: Code of Student Conduct- Online Misconduct

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: November 6, 2017

    Students are cautioned that they can be subject to the student conduct system for behavior occurring online, such as harassment delivered by email, or acts of bullying or discrimination posted in video form or on gossip sites accessed through University computing resources.

    » Read More

  • Student Organization Handbook: Bulletin Board & Posting Policy and Procedures

    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: November 6, 2017

    All postings (including postings for student organizations and departments) must have a contact name and phone number/email.

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    All individuals and organizations posting notices are expected to design and display their materials in a manner respectful of the diverse beliefs, opinions and attitudes that exist in an institution of higher learning.

    » Read More

Green Light Policies

  • Old Dominion Frat Suspended for Crude Signs

    August 25, 2015

    By Blake Neff at The Daily Caller A fraternity at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Virginia that caused consternation for its connection with lewd signs has been suspended pending an investigation. As parents drove up to the school to drop their children off for orientation last weekend, signs hung from the balcony of an off-campus house with phrases such as “Freshman daughter drop-off” and “Go ahead and drop off your mom, too.” The house isn’t university-owned, but it houses numerous members of the fraternity Sigma Nu and is associated with the house. Sigma Nu national director Brad Beachum has said […]

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  • Maybe a Lawsuit Will Stop Old Dominion’s Tyrant from Punishing Student Speech

    August 25, 2015

    By Greg Piper at The College Fix The University of Oklahoma and Old Dominion University have much in common: They are public universities with presidents who think they can legally punish students for their peaceful speech. OK, maybe they don’t have much in common, but those similarities speak volumes about the condition of the First Amendment at taxpayer-funded institutions. You’ve probably seen the banners hanging from an off-campus house near Old Dominion, encouraging parents to drop off their freshman daughters (and Mom) there. Suggestive? Of course. Cheeky? Undoubtedly. (A few moms probably appreciated the come-on directed at them.) Crude? Arguably. Saying out loud […]

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  • Judge throws out free-speech lawsuit

    September 4, 2003

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  • Public Universities Threaten Students Over Controversial Off-Campus Banners

    August 25, 2015

    Public universities must tolerate students’ off-campus speech even when it offends some, or most, of the student body. Recent incidents at Old Dominion University (ODU) and The Ohio State University (OSU) serve as reminders that this is not always what happens. At both universities, students adorned their off-campus residences with signs offering a less than wholesome welcome to new and returning students. The banners at ODU read, “Rowdy and fun – Hope your baby girl is ready for a good time,” “Freshman daughter drop off,” and “Go ahead and drop mom off too.” Signs at an OSU apartment, which were […]

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