School Spotlight

Reed College

Location: Portland, Oregon
Type: Private
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Speech Code Rating

Reed College 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

  • Guidebook to Reed: Community Policies – Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    Discriminatory harassment is unwelcome verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct that is derogatory, insulting and/or intimidating and that is based on or motivated by an individual’s or group’s actual or perceived affiliation with protected classes or categories. … All instances of discriminatory harassmen... Read More

  • Reed College Computer User Agreement

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    Some examples of prohibited uses are: … the transmission of obscene, abusive, harassing, or threatening messages … Read More

  • Bias Incidents and Discriminatory Harassment Resource Guide

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    Reed College is a community governed by an honor principle and committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive living and learning environment (read Reed College’s Diversity Statement here). In such a community, all members have the right to work, learn, and live in an environment free of bias and discriminator... Read More

  • Guidebook to Reed: College Organization – Living with the Honor Principle

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    The most common formulation of the honor principle states that any action that causes unnecessary pain or discomfiture to any member of the Reed community, group within the community, or to the community as a whole is a violation of the honor principle. Read More

  • Guidebook to Reed: Community Policies- Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    Other harassing conduct violates this policy if it is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent that it either (1) denies, interferes with, or limits a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the College’s programs or activities; or (2) creates a learning, working, or living environment that a reasona... Read More

  • Guidebook to Reed: Community Policies – Dissent

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    Reed College considers the right of free speech, and therefore that of dissent to be fundamental to its life as an academic community. The exercise of the right of dissent is not something to be grudgingly tolerated, but actively encouraged. Read More

  • Guidebook to Reed: Community Policies – Publications and Public Occasions of Expression

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    Publications, exhibitions, public lectures, and public performances under the sponsorship of the college or of recognized organizations within the Reed Community shall not be subject to institutional censorship. Publications supported wholly by Student Body funds, or by Student Body funds supplemented by revenues ex... Read More

  • Guidebook to Reed: Community Policies – Public Speaking and Solicitation

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    Reed College is committed to the principles of free inquiry and free expression, and this means that expressions of opinions that some people find abhorrent must at times be tolerated. Read More

  • Guidebook to Reed: Community Policies – Academic Freedom and Responsibility

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 10, 2018

    [W]e reaffirm one another’s rights to freedom of inquiry and expression in coursework, scholarship, and the day-to-day life of the Reed community. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • With Details of Classroom Ban at Reed Unclear, Student Speech Will Be Chilled

    March 20, 2015

    Jeremiah True, a student at Reed College in Portland, has reported that he was banned from his Humanities 110 classroom by Professor Pancho Savery because of statements he made about rape culture that made others in the class uncomfortable. In particular, True said he challenged the controversial statistic that one in five college women are… Read more