School Spotlight

State University of New York – Albany

Location: Albany, New York
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

State University of New York – Albany 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

  • Sexual Harassment Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: August 6, 2018

    Sexual Harassment in the Educational Setting is defined as: Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.  Sexual harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.  Sexual harassment of denies or limits, on the basis of sex, the... Read More

  • Community Rights and Responsibilities: Prohibited Conduct- Disruptive Conduct

    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: August 6, 2018

    Impairing, interfering with or obstructing the orderly conduct, processes and functions of the University or surrounding community. This behavior includes, but is not limited to, excessive noise, abusive or obscene language in a public place … Read More

  • Responsible Use of Information Technology

    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: August 6, 2018

    Improper use includes, but is not limited to: unauthorized access to or misuse of network or electronic data in any form; the use of another’s computing account, circumventing network security measures; the use of University networks, computer resources or data for private, commercial or political purposes; harassme... Read More

  • Community Rights and Responsibilities: Supplemental Policies & Information- Harassment

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: August 6, 2018

    Harassment is repetitive behaviors intended to bully, intimidate or insult another individual and can have a chilling effect on a person’s living and learning environment. Read More

  • Policy for Freedom of Expression

    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: August 6, 2018

    The University reaffirms its commitment to the principle that the widest possible scope for freedom of expression is the foundation of an institution dedicated to vigorous inquiry, robust debate, and the continuous search for a proper balance between freedom and order. The University seeks to foster an environment i... Read More

  • Community Rights and Responsibilities: Prohibited Conduct- Harassment

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: August 6, 2018

    Conduct that is so pervasive or severe that it effectively denies the individual reasonable access to University resources or opportunities. Read More

  • Community Rights and Responsibilities: Prohibited Conduct- Sexual Harassment

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: August 6, 2018

    Unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to effectively alter or deny the individual reasonable access to University resources or that such conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or sexually offensive environment for learning, working or living on campus. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • Speech Code of the Month: SUNY Albany

    January 25, 2017

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for January 2017: the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY Albany). According to SUNY Albany’s Sexual Harassment Policy, “sexual harassment in the educational setting” is defined as “unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature,” including “verbal” conduct. This is an extremely broad definition that effectively… Read more

  • After Giving Accepted Students a Taste of Campus Censorship, SUNY Albany Recommits to Freedom of Expression

    April 19, 2016

    Every spring, colleges and universities across the country host accepted students and their families on campus tours to give them a sense of student life at their institutions. Sadly (though perhaps unsurprisingly, given trends elsewhere), a recent two-day open house at the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY Albany) gave accepted students the… Read more

  • Dorm Room Door Decorations Allowed… As Long as You Don’t Criticize the Food

    October 14, 2009

    FIRE is looking into this interesting case at SUNY Albany (University at Albany), where it has been reported that a student was ordered to remove from his dorm room door "a satirical representation of the definition of Chartwells food service" because it was said to be defacing campus property, while other students’ postings on their own… Read more

  • Second Circuit: Allocation of Mandatory Student Activity Fees Cannot Hinge on Advisory Referenda

    November 26, 2007

    Last week, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued an opinion in Amidon v. Student Ass’n of the State Univ. of N.Y., holding that the student government of the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY-Albany) cannot base allocation decisions about mandatory student activity fees upon the outcomes of student… Read more