Pennsylvania House of Representatives Select Committee on Student Academic Freedom

September 19, 2005

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives brought together a committee to examine allegations that Pennsylvania’s public universities were plagued by liberal ideology and indoctrination. David A. French, at the time president of FIRE, served as a legal adviser to the panel. FIRE released FIRE Report on the First Amendment Responsibilities of Pennsylvania State-Funded Colleges and Universities, explaining that Pennsylvania universities are bound to follow the strictures of the U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions, notably to respect the expressive rights of students and faculty members, to protect religious liberty on campus, and to protect freedom of conscience on campus.

Sexual Harassment Policy Statement

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 26, 2016

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

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3. such conduct is so severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s welfare, academic or work performance, or creates an intimidating, hostile, offensive or demeaning education or work environment.

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For purposes of this policy, even if the behavior is not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute a basis for an award of damages or other relief to a victim under state or federal law, Slippery Rock University may still issue disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employees, so long as the acts committed by an employee are a sufficient basis on which to issue discipline as determined by university policy and provide the employee to his/her right to due process. The university may also discipline employees if the behavior meets just cause and other applicable standards in the appropriate collective bargaining agreement. Nothing in this policy may be taken to in any way modify or contradict the substantive and/or procedural rules provided by any applicable collective bargaining agreement or policy or procedure/standard of the Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education.

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Student Code of Conduct: Harassment/Intimidation/Disruptive Conduct

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 26, 2016

B.1a. No student shall engage in harassing, intimidating, or threatening conduct. This includes stalking.

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Discrimination and Harassment Policy

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 26, 2016

Harassment is a form of discrimination and is generally understood as being serious and persistent or pervasive conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s ability in the work, learning or other university environment.

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Student Organization Manual: Sales and Solicitation

Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: August 26, 2016

The University encourages and supports the exercise of constitutionally protected freedoms including freedom of speech and association. All persons may exercise their rights to free expression in outdoor areas that are generally accessible to the public. Non-commercial solicitation is generally protected as an exercise of free speech. Individuals may make available and offer free literature or other materials related to their expression, request that individuals sign petitions, and engage in informational picketing and other expressive activities that do not substantially interfere with the orderly operation of the campus. Generally, no advance notice or approval is necessary to engage in expressive activities in outdoor areas except as specifically
addressed in this policy.

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