School Spotlight

Santa Clara University
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Statement of Community Values
Speech Code Rating: Red
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: October 19, 2020As a member of this community, I will value diversity and learn from diverse people, ideas, and situations. … Living this value is inconsistent with: … Using degrading language toward any person or toward members of a specific group … Read MoreInformation Services: IS Resource Acceptable Use Policy
Speech Code Rating: Red
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020Santa Clara University IT resources shall not be used for: … visiting, viewing or distributing Internet sites or materials that contain obscene, pornographic, profane or sexually explicit information, pictures, or cartoons; and publishing, displaying, transmitting, retrieving or storing inappropriate or offens... Read MoreDiscrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy: Discriminatory Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Red
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020Discriminatory harassment constitutes a form of discrimination that is prohibited by University policy, and defined as unwelcome conduct by any member or group of the community on the basis of actual or perceived membership in a class protected by University policy or law. The University does not tolerate discrimina... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Conduct Code
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020Hazing, harassing, stalking, threatening, bullying, degrading language or actions, or any practice by a group or individual that degrades a student or employee, endangers health, jeopardizes personal safety, or interferes with an employee’s duties or with a student’s class attendance or a person’s educational pursui... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Bias Incident Reporting
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: October 19, 2020The University defines a bias incident as any speech, act, or harassing action that targets, threatens, or attacks an individual or group because of its actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religious creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Posting Printed Material and Chalking
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020University entities may place materials on bulletin boards inside academic or administrative buildings subject to the approval of the office with administrative jurisdiction over the area, in regards to information concerning programs, services, or activities sponsored by Santa Clara University or one of its groups.... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Expressive Activity Regulations on the Campus of Santa Clara University
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020University affiliates wishing to use the University for purposes of engaging in expressive activity must complete an Expressive Activity Management Form (available from the University Event Planning Office and Center for Student Leadership) at least three business days in advance of the planned activity. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Housing and Residence Life Policies, Procedures, and Standards- Justice Starts Here
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: October 19, 2020By entering into the community, you are agreeing that you and your guests are equally accountable to each other for the words and actions that take place within the community. We will strive to create a community where listening takes priority in conversation. From listening will come understanding, positive and edu... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Housing and Residence Life Policies, Procedures, and Standards
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020Any items that face outward and are visible to the general public may not include any mention, either implied or explicit, of alcohol or drugs and must be in “good taste” (at the discretion Housing and Residence Life staff). Items that contain material and or language that is deemed to be offensive (nudity, foul lan... Read MoreDiscrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy: Other Civil Rights Based Offenses
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020Bullying / Cyber-Bullying, defined as: Repeated and/or severe; Aggressive behavior; Likely to intimidate or intentionally hurt, control or diminish another person, physically or mentally; and That is not protected speech or conduct otherwise protected. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Expressive Activity Regulations on the Campus of Santa Clara University- Introduction
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: October 19, 2020The University’s sole purpose is, and shall remain that of an institution of higher learning providing an education to its students, which includes encouraging the free exchange of ideas for the purpose of developing knowledge and pursuing truth. The University recognizes and supports the rights of free expression. ... Read MoreDiscrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy: Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: October 19, 2020Conduct on the basis of sex/gender that is sexual and satisfies one or more of the following: … Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment • unwelcome conduct, • determined by a reasonable person, • to be so severe, and • pervasive, and, • objectively offensive, • that it effectively denies a person equal access to... Read More
Santa Clara University: Student Government Association’s Denial of Recognition to Young Americans for Freedom Chapter
June 7, 2019
A group of Santa Clara University students sought recognition for the SCU chapter of Young Americans for Freedom, an organization dedicated to advancing conservative principles. After SCU’s Student Government Association denied the club recognition, citing its “ideology” and the existence of other conservative clubs, FIRE wrote to SCU on May 17, 2019, explaining that denying… Read more
Santa Clara University: Student Government Rejects Turning Point USA Chapter Over Its Political Stances
March 7, 2017
In a February 2, 2017 meeting, the Santa Clara University (SCU) Associated Student Government (ASG) rejected recognition status for a prospective Turning Point USA (TPUSA) chapter on the basis of the group’s political stances and potential ties to the national TPUSA organization.
Santa Clara University: Student Newspaper Censored After Administrators’ Request
March 7, 2017
On February 2, 2017, Santa Clara University (SCU) student newspaper The Santa Clara published an article about a $100 million donation from an SCU alumnus.
November 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Santa Clara University
November 11, 2020
Banning the use of “degrading language” may at first seem appealing to some, especially on the heels of a divisive election that included a good deal of ad hominem attacks and hostile exchanges (don’t they all!). But who gets to decide what counts as degrading? Should a university administrator be able to decide if student… Read more
Santa Clara University sees the light, finally recognizes YAF chapter
October 10, 2019
It only took two FIRE letters, two Newsdesk articles, and a settlement meeting with Young America’s Foundation’s general counsel, but Santa Clara University finally did the right thing by recognizing a proposed chapter of Young Americans for Freedom — YAF’s student organization — late last month. The university’s reversal of its decision to deny recognition… Read more
Santa Clara University ratifies rejection of student group over its political views
June 27, 2019
FIRE has raised the alarm about Santa Clara University’s treatment of its Young Americans for Freedom chapter for several months now. It started with the student government’s viewpoint-based refusal to recognize it as an official student group, and now culminates with the administration’s astonishing claim that the vote was entirely devoid of ideological malice toward… Read more
Santa Clara student government — again! — denies recognition to student group over its conservative viewpoints
June 7, 2019
Last week, the Santa Clara University Associated Student Government denied recognition to a campus chapter of Young Americans for Freedom over the student group’s political stances. The rejection is the second time in a month that the ASG refused recognition to YAF over hostility to the group’s conservative viewpoints. On April 25, the student government… Read more
Santa Clara University says its request that student newspaper remove story was act of “compassion”
March 30, 2017
Censoring is caring? That’s a poor message for a university to send to students — especially one that claims to value free speech. But that’s the line Santa Clara University is sticking with, despite criticism from FIRE, alumni, and its own student newspaper. The controversy over the act of so-called “compassion” started at Santa Clara… Read more
Santa Clara University protects student free speech with one hand, censors with the other
March 7, 2017
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 7, 2017 — Santa Clara University has an inconsistent track record recently when it comes to students’ rights. Last week the university defended the right of students to form a politically unpopular campus group. But administrators didn’t respect the student newspaper’s freedom of speech, pressuring students to remove a quote critical… Read more
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