School Spotlight
St. Olaf College
Speech Code Rating
The Book: General Information, Policies, and Procedures- Misuse of Computers
Speech Code Rating: Red
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: August 22, 2021St. Olaf College provides computing and networking resources in order to meet the academic needs of students, faculty, and staff. Any actions that undermine this important college goal are subject to disciplinary review. These include, but are not limited to … creating or posting of material that is offensive,... Read MoreThe Book: Code of Student Conduct- Proscribed Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 22, 2021Conduct that has the purpose or effect of verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person including, but not limited to, the following forms: a. Direct oral expression or physical gesture or action. b. Notes, letters, U.S... Read MorePolicy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 22, 2021Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. It includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical contact, or other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when: … such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially and unrea... Read MoreThe Book: Residence Life Policies and Procedures- Harassment, Sexual and Sexual Assault
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 22, 2021Examples of verbal or physical conduct that are prohibited include but are not limited to: … unwelcome remarks of a sexual nature, including remarks about a person’s body or clothing; unwelcome remarks about sexual activity; showing, exposing to, or subjecting others to materials or media of a sexual nature. Read MoreThe Book: Residence Life Policies and Procedures- Public Area Decoration
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: August 22, 2021Because St. Olaf is a safe space for all students; any material that can be deemed offensive, demeaning, or derogatory to others may not be posted in common areas. These areas include: the front of any room doors, on the hallway or spaces around it, as well as restrooms. If such material is posted, The Area Coordina... Read MorePolicy Prohibiting Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 22, 2021Sexual harassment means conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: … Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the College’s education program or activity; … S... Read MoreDean of Students: Incidents of Bias, Harassment, and Hate Crimes
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: August 22, 2021St. Olaf College is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all members of the St. Olaf community — students, faculty, and staff — are treated with respect and dignity, free from bias and harassment. Faculty, staff, and students are together responsible for maintaining an educational and workin... Read MoreThe Book: General Information, Policies, and Procedures- Distribution, Sales, and Expression
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: August 22, 2021All campus and/or non-campus organizations or individuals desiring to distribute printed materials or establish a point of contact with college students, faculty and staff within the Buntrock Commons will clear their activities with the Buntrock Commons staff. The director will indicate where, how and when these act... Read MoreFaculty Handbook: Campus Demonstrations
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: August 22, 2021St. Olaf College affirms its belief in the importance of freedom of expression and in the value of permitting all members of the college community to protest actions with which they disagree. Read MoreThe Book: General Information, Policies, and Procedures- Speaker Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: August 22, 2021Free inquiry and free expression are essential attributes of the community of scholars. As members of that community, students should develop the capacity for critical judgment and engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. To this end, student organizations are free to examine and discuss all quest... Read More
Speech Code of the Month: St. Olaf College
December 6, 2011
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for December 2011: St. Olaf College in Minnesota. St. Olaf’s policy on “Misuse of Computers” [.pdf] prohibits “creating or posting of material that is offensive,” stating that such actions “are subject to disciplinary review.” As is typical of such policies, “offensive” is left undefined, and there is no provision… Read more