School Spotlight

Purdue University Northwest
Speech Code Rating
Purdue University Student Code of Conduct Operationalized for Purdue Northwest
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 22, 2020The following actions constitute conduct for which students may be subject to informal action or disciplinary sanctions: … Lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct on University property or in connection with a University activity. Read MoreTitle IX Harassment, Interim (III.C.4)
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 23, 2020Conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: … Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University’s educational programs or activities; … Read MoreFree Speech & Open Expression on Campus
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: September 22, 2020Purdue University Northwest recognizes the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and believes academic progress and freedom flourish when these rights are assured. Consistent with these protections, and with the powers and duties granted to the Trustees of Purdue Univ... Read More
Purdue University Calumet: First Amendment Violations Against Professor Who Criticized Muslims
January 24, 2012
After investigating nine complaints of harassment and discrimination against Professor Maurice Eisenstein, Purdue University Calumet dismissed all of them. Among other comments on his personal Facebook page, Eisenstein had criticized “‘moderate’ Muslims” who he believed had not condemned violence after an attack by “a radical Muslim group” killed Christians in Nigeria. Although Eisenstein was cleared of… Read more
Purdue Calumet Eliminates All of Its Speech Codes, Earns FIRE’s Highest Free Speech Rating
September 29, 2015
HAMMOND, Ind., September 29, 2015—The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is pleased to announce that Purdue University Calumet has earned FIRE’s highest, “green light” rating for free speech by eliminating all of its restrictive speech policies. With assistance from FIRE, Purdue Calumet joins an elite group of colleges and universities that have reformed… Read more
Four Key Points About Free Speech and the Feds’ ‘Blueprint’
July 15, 2013
It’s been more than two months since FIRE and the higher ed community were shocked by a letter issued jointly by the Departments of Education and Justice to the University of Montana. FIRE staff have blogged extensively about the Departments’ “blueprint” for campus sexual harassment in the last 10 weeks, but there are four crucial points that I… Read more
Controversial Purdue Professor Wins Battle Over Publishing Public Documents
July 6, 2012
Professor Maurice Eisenstein, who was ganged up on for months by some of his faculty colleagues due to his protected expression, has won another battle for free speech at Purdue University Calumet. After investigating nine complaints of harassment and discrimination against Eisenstein, Purdue University Calumet dismissed all of them. Among other comments on his personal… Read more
Who You Gonna Call?
May 22, 2012
FIRE, of course! Professor Maurice Eisenstein, who is suing Purdue University Calumet for violating his free speech rights after he criticized Muslims on Facebook, was interviewed by Frontpage in a piece published today. The interview provides a detailed account of his ordeal. Here is an excerpt about FIRE’s influence in his case: FP: The University… Read more
Free Speech Lawsuit at Purdue-Calumet Hits Fox News, Associated Press
May 18, 2012
Yesterday, the media began to pick up the lawsuit filed in Indiana last week by a Purdue University Calumet professor who had generated controversy by criticizing Muslims on Facebook. As his lawsuit points out, Professor Maurice Eisenstein was cleared of nine complaints after a months-long investigation only to be found guilty of "retaliation," when really… Read more
Professor Who Criticized Muslims on Facebook Sues Purdue University Calumet
May 16, 2012
Here’s today’s press release: CHICAGO, May 16, 2012—A professor has filed a free speech lawsuit against Purdue University Calumet after the university punished him in the wake of his remarks about Muslims on Facebook. The PUC Muslim Student Association and several students and faculty members had filed harassment complaints against professor Maurice Eisenstein after he… Read more
Professor Who Criticized Muslims on Facebook Sues Purdue University Calumet
May 16, 2012
CHICAGO, May 16, 2012—A professor has filed a free speech lawsuit against Purdue University Calumet after the university punished him in the wake of his remarks about Muslims on Facebook. The PUC Muslim Student Association and several students and faculty members had filed harassment complaints against professor Maurice Eisenstein after he criticized moderate Muslims who… Read more
Purdue University Calumet Declares Professor Guilty of ‘Retaliation’
April 13, 2012
As we wrote here a few weeks ago, Purdue University Calumet (PUC) professor Maurice Eisenstein was recently the subject of a months-long harassment investigation based on charged remarks about Islam he made on his personal Facebook page and while teaching. A number of students, calling the remarks offensive, submitted complaints to PUC. But merely causing… Read more
Kissel on Free Speech in Purdue University Calumet Student Paper
April 3, 2012
Following a talk by FIRE’s Adam Kissel at Purdue University Calumet last week, The Purdue University Calumet Chronicle has published an article reiterating Adam’s points about free speech on campus. The Chronicle highlights Adam’s discussion of the importance on a college campus of allowing a full exchange of ideas to take place: “What are the… Read more
Purdue-Calumet Investigates Professor’s Speech for Months, Chilling Expression
February 20, 2012
Purdue University Calumet (PUC) has been investigating a professor for months due to what looks like an organized onslaught of complaints about his expression on Facebook and in class about Muslims, even though some of the complainants never took his class and many have left unspecified what speech, exactly, they were complaining about. Professor Maurice… Read more
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