School Spotlight

Salem State University

Location: Salem, Massachusetts
Type: Public
Tell Salem State University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Salem State 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
    FIRE Speech Code Memorandum for Salem State University

  • Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 2, 2019

    Discriminatory harassment. A form of unlawful discrimination including verbal and/or physical conduct based on legally protected characteristics and/or membership in a protected class that: 1. has the purpose or effect of creating an objectively intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment; 2. ... Read More

  • Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 2, 2019

    Sexual Harassment Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature is prohibited when: submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education; and/or submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for academic or employ... Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: Conduct Regulations

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: May 3, 2019

    1. Disorderly Conduct – Actions which jeopardizes the safety or well-being of other members of the University community or persons coming onto University property, or off campus wherever it occurs. This includes but is not limited to: a. Harassment of other members b. Statements intended to defame character c. Physi... Read More

  • Posting Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: July 16, 2019

    All materials posted on the campus must be reviewed, approved and stamped by the Student Involvement & Activities Programs Office before they may be posted. Each original flyer must be stamped. … All materials submitted for review must be judged by the University to be factually accurate and provide full d... Read More

  • Guide to Living on Campus: Residence Life Policies- Community Behavior

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: July 16, 2019

    Students may be asked to remove offensive images, materials or language from doors, windows and other public areas. Read More

  • Acceptable Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: May 2, 2019

    Unacceptable uses of University computing and electronic communication resources include, but are not limited to, the following examples: … Use University computer facilities in a manner that would constitute harassment, invasion of privacy, threat, defamation, intimidation, obscenity, unwarranted annoyance or... Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: Conduct Regulations

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: May 2, 2019

    Listed below are those types of conduct which constitute grounds for disciplinary action. … Bias-Related Incident – Any act, conduct, or communication that reasonably is understood to demean, degrade, threaten, or harass an individual or group based on an actual or perceived characteristic and has the pu... Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: Preamble

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: May 2, 2019

    SSU students are recognized as being both citizens in the larger community and members of an academic community. In their roles as global citizens, students are free to exercise their fundamental constitutional rights. Rights and responsibilities under local, state and national law are neither abridged nor extended ... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • REPORT: Artists clash with campus censors

    July 10, 2018

    Art purged for being “one-sided,” among other excuses Censors, often not understanding the message, ban art rather than grapple with its meaning PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 2018 — Art censorship is nothing new. Spanish conquistadors smashed ceramics of ancient Peruvian cultures that portrayed gay and lesbian sex. The Roman Catholic Church of the 15th century was… Read more

  • FIRE Notes Uptick in Student-Driven Calls for Art Censorship as Salem State Shutters Exhibit [UPDATED]

    December 1, 2016

    Update (December 1, 2016): Salem State University reopened its “State of the Union” art exhibit, Inside Higher Ed reports. However, at least one of the exhibit’s most controversial paintings depicting Ku Klux Klan members is now displayed fully enclosed by black drapes. Students & controversial art: #SalemState reopens exhibit, MICA involves students in displaying piece on the KKK… Read more

  • Speech Code of the Month: Salem State University

    October 4, 2013

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for October 2013: Salem State University. The Guide to Living on Campus for Massachusetts’ Salem State includes a Policy Against Racism (PDF) that applies to all students living in the university’s residence halls, spaces where students often speak the most freely. That policy “prohibits racism, anti-Semitism and… Read more