Cooper Medical School of Rowan University: Student Punished Under Unconstitutional Social Media Policy

October 6, 2017

CMSRU filed a “Professionalism Intervention Report” against a student in response to photographs posted to her personal Instagram account.

Policy No. DPS 2015:01: Free Speech & Peaceful Assembly Policy

Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: October 16, 2017

In an effort to ensure safety and to promote an environment conducive to study, advance reservation for expressive activity is required for assembly and/or demonstrations that are promoted in advance, and/or sponsored by student organizations, and/or expected to draw a crowd of more than 10 people. Advance reservation is required for assembly and/or demonstrations near academic buildings anytime classes, research or student activities are taking place. Advance reservation is also required for assembly and/or demonstrations at a University ceremony, event and/or activity held on University property or at any place in use for an authorized University purpose.

Any individual or group, either required by this Section to make an advance reservation, or desiring to make an advance reservation, shall complete and submit to the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Campus Recreation & Student Activities (117A Chamberlain Student Center) the Reservation Request Form attached hereto at least 72 hours in advance of the assembly and/or demonstration.

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Policy No. SL 2016:01: Student Code of Conduct

Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: October 16, 2017

Harassment, intimidation, or bullying include any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or a mental, physical, or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, or any other class protected under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et. seq. (See also Student Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment Policy) that takes place on Rowan University property or at any function sponsored by Rowan University that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the University or the rights of other students and that:

(a) a reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, what will have the effect of physically or emotionally harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm to his person or damage to his property;

(b) has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students in such a way as to cause disruption in, or interference with, the orderly operation of the University; or

(c) creates a hostile educational environment for the student at the University; or

(d) infringes on the rights of the student at the University by interfering with a student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student.

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Policy No. SL 2016:14: Student Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: October 16, 2017

Sexual/gender-based harassment is unwelcome sexual or gender based verbal or physical conduct that unreasonably interferes with or deprives others of their right to access and benefit from the educational and other programs and services of the University. Sexual violence is a form of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment offenses fall into two general categories.

Hostile Environment- harassing conduct that is sufficiently severe, pervasive/persistent and patently/objectively offensive that it substantially interferes with the conditions of education or employment, from both a subjective (the alleged victim’s) and an objective (reasonable person’s) viewpoint.

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Policy No. DPS 2015:01: Free Speech & Peaceful Assembly Policy

Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: October 16, 2017

The University will protect the rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition and peaceful assembly as set forth in the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.

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Bias Assessment and Response Team: BART Members- Purpose Statement

Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: October 16, 2017

The purpose of the Bias Assessment and Response Team (BART) to provide impacted parties of bias incidents opportunities to be heard and supported; understand and respond to situations that affect the University; educate and inform the community, and create awareness of ignorance and intolerance. The BART provides services to witness(es), bystanders(s), targeted individual(s), offender(s), or a member(s) of the Rowan community. It is not BART’s purpose to investigate, adjudicate, or to take the place of other Rowan University processes and services; rather, the aim is to compliment and work with campus entities to connect impacted parties and communities with appropriate support and resources.

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Cooper Medical School of Rowan University revises social media policy after letter from FIRE

October 6, 2017

Last winter, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University punished a student for appearing topless in one of her Instagram posts. The student’s photo — taken on a European beach where nudity is legal — included a caption supporting the #freethenipple campaign. After chiding her for the comments posted by others on the photo, an administrator even suggested the student ask her fiancé for a “second opinion” before posting pictures in the future. Today, FIRE sent a letter to CMSRU to acknowledge improvements made to the CMSRU Social Networking policy under which the student was charged, and to address how the […]