Location: Salem, Massachusetts
Website: http://www.salemstate.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 1st Circuit
Salem State University 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 here.
Red Light Policies
Guide to Living on Campus: Policy Against Racism
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: July 28, 2016This policy prohibits racism, anti-Semitism and ethnic or cultural intolerance. It prohibits all actions or omissions—including all acts of verbal harassment or abuse—that deny or have the effect of denying anyone his or her rights to equality, dignity and security on the basis of his or her race, color, ethnicity, culture, or religion. It reaffirms the doctrine of civility, appreciation for cultural/racial pluralism and the pre-eminence of individual human dignity as pre-conditions for achieving an academic community that recognizes and uses the resources of all persons.
PUBLIC SPEAKING, DISTRIBUTION OF LITERATURE, COMMERCIAL SOLICITATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS IN PUBLIC AREAS
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016Visitors to the campus, students, staff, or faculty wishing to use a public area to publicly address the University community at other than a University-sponsored event must first contact the Campus Center to insure that the time, place and manner of the address does not interfere with normal University functioning.
1. Within no less than 48 hours prior to the time requested to make a public address, persons wishing to use a public area space should inform Campus Center of the date, time, number of people involved, and the contact person for the event.
2. On a case-by-case basis, the University may waive the 48-hour notice requirement for spontaneous public addresses that are directly occasioned by news, events or affairs coming into public knowledge less than 48 hours prior to such address. Such spontaneous public addresses may be allowed upon the Alumni Plaza without the speaker or organizer first having to obtain a permit.
3. As a general rule, no individual or group will be permitted to engage in public address on campus more than two times per month and/or four visits per semester.
Student Life and Enrollment Management: Stop Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016Behaviors that, either alone or in combination, may constitute sexual harassment and/or the creation of a hostile work environment include, but are not limited to, the following:: …
- sexual slurs, sexual innuendos, and other comments about an individual or group’s clothing, body, weight, body shape, size or figure; …
- suggestive or insulting sounds such as whistling, wolf-calls, or kissing sounds;
- sexually provocative compliments about a person’s clothes or the way their clothes fit;
- comments or questions about the sensuality, sexuality, gender identity or sexual orientation of a person, or his or her spouse or significant other;
- pseudo-medical advice such as “you might be feeling bad because you didn’t get enough”
Posting Policy
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016All 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 disclosure of any related terms, conditions, warrants and intentions. Any information that is deemed by the University to be incomplete, inaccurate, misleading and/or could be hazardous or disruptive to members of the learning community will not be approved for posting or distribution.
Student Life: Student Groups and Organizations- Guidelines for Religious Groups on Campus
Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
Last updated: July 28, 2016WHAT CONSTITUTES BEHAVIOR WHICH IS INJURIOUS TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PUBLIC WELFARE OF THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY?
1. All forms of harassment and proselytizing.Ellison Campus Center: Policy Statement on Student Demonstrations
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016The University acknowledges the right of students to demonstrate and the corresponding right of the University Community to maintain the normal conduct of University affairs without undue interference. The right of students to express views through demonstrations and mass gatherings is protected on campus so long as they do not:
1) Materially disrupt the normal ongoing University functions;
2) Interfere with the rights of others, including free movement on campus;
3) Engage in the destruction of property.…
In order to avoid the problems associated with simultaneous and competing demonstrations in the same area of the campus, any recognized student organization or individual affiliated with the University must make space reservations in accordance with the normal program clearance and scheduling policy of the Campus Center.
Guide to Living on Campus: Community Behavior
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016Students may be asked to remove offensive images, materials or language from doors, windows and other public areas.
Acceptable Use Policy
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016Unacceptable 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 embarrassment, or discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, disability, age, religion, or sexual orientation.
Guide to Living on Campus: Statement of Diversity
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: July 28, 2016As a department, we will not tolerate inappropriate behavior, particularly as it might relate to an individual’s identity. When one individual or a group of individuals acts to destroy the essence of our diverse community, or shows a lack of respect to an individual, we will respond appropriately. We will not tolerate behavior that is not in line with the belief that each individual is a valued member of our community, and should be treated with dignity and respect.
Student Conduct Code: Conduct Regulations
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016Behavior which jeopardizes the safety or well-being of other members of the university community or persons coming onto university property. This includes, but is not limited to:
2.1) Harassment of [other members of the university community or persons coming onto university property];
2.2) Statements intended to defame character;
2.3) Physical abuse;
2.4) Verbal abuse;
2.5) Written abuse of another person;
2.6) Threats to another person;
2.7) Any act of violence;
2.8) Inappropriately touching another person
2.9) Behavior which jeopardizes the safety or well-being of others off campus, wherever it occurs.Title IX Definitions
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: July 28, 2016Sexual 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 employment decisions affecting that individual; and/or such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic or professional performance or creating a sexually intimidating, hostile, or offensive employment, educational, or living environment. Examples of sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to: repeatedly pressuring another person for sexual activity; making sexist remarks about an individual’s clothing, body or sexual activities; unnecessary touching, patting or pinching another person; demanding sex from a subordinate while making threats concerning the subordinate’s job; demanding sex from a student while making implied threats concerning the student’s grade; electronically transmitting derogatory, demeaning or pornographic materials; posting explicit sexual pictures on an exterior office door or on a computer monitor; and sexually assaulting another person.
Student Conduct Code: Preamble
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: July 28, 2016University students are recognized as being both citizens in the larger community and members of an academic community. In their roles as citizens, students are free to exercise their fundamental constitutional rights. Rights and responsibilities under local, state and national laws are neither abridged nor extended by status as a student at Salem State.
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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 https://t.co/YWnrPFmKjH pic.twitter.com/AtMIVPGg1Y — Inside Higher Ed (@insidehighered) December 1, 2016 We’ll keep you posted on this developing story. Massachusetts’ Salem State University has agreed to temporarily close an art exhibit intended to draw attention to the evils of discrimination after students said they were offended […]
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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 ethnic or cultural intolerance.” It also prohibits all actions or omissions—including all acts of verbal harassment or abuse—that deny or have the effect of denying anyone his or her rights to equality, dignity and security on the basis of his or her race, color, ethnicity, […]
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