School Spotlight

Tennessee State University

Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

Tennessee 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

  • Guideline P-080: Discrimination and Harassment – Complaint and Investigation Procedure

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 10, 2020

    Harassment is conduct that is based on a person’s race, color, religion, creed, ethic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age (as applicable), status as a covered veteran, genetic information, or any other category protected by federal or state civil rights law that; ... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Personal Property, Rights, Freedoms, Responsibilities

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: March 10, 2020

    Tennessee State University assumes the position that dissent, when carried out in the prescribed form (being registered in advance with the Vice President of Student Affairs, in order to ensure that the event is held at an acceptable time and appropriate site), will be protected; on the other hand, disruption in any... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct – Disciplinary Offenses

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: March 10, 2020

    Individual or organizational misconduct that is subject to disciplinary sanction shall include, but is not limited to, the following examples: a. Conduct dangerous to others – Any conduct or attempted conduct which constitutes a serious danger to any person’s health, safety or personal well-being, including, b... Read More

  • Campus Living Guide: Community Living Bill of Rights

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: March 10, 2020

    The community bill of rights is a reminder to you of your rights as an individual and your responsibility to your fellow community members: … The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical and emotional harm. Read More

  • Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Office: Harassment Tips

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 10, 2020

    Some men and women are confused as to what behaviors constitute sexual harassment. The following questions may be especially helpful in assessing one’s own behavior: … ● Do I tell jokes or make “funny” remarks involving the opposite sex and/or sexuality? (Such jokes may offend many people.) If the ... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: March 10, 2020

    Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well- being attainment of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students should be encouraged... Read More

  • Sexual Misconduct (6.6.4)

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 10, 2020

    Harassment means conduct directed toward the accused that includes, but is not limited to, repeated or continuing unwelcome contact that would cause a reasonable person to suffer emotional distress, and that actually causes the accuser to suffer emotional distress. Harassment does not include constitutionally protec... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • August 2020 Speech Code of the Month: Tennessee State University

    August 5, 2020

    As colleges gear up for the bulk of their students returning to campus over the next month, they’re making adjustments to current policies governing public gatherings and adopting new ones aimed at mitigating the risk of spreading the coronavirus.  Though this is obviously an unprecedented circumstance for these institutions, FIRE’s basic recommendations regarding speech policy… Read more

  • Tennessee Bill to Punish UT for Sex Week Becomes Law

    May 23, 2016

    For several years, the Tennessee legislature has threatened to take action against the University of Tennessee (UT) for allowing students to conduct an annual “Sex Week” on campus. Now the state legislature has followed through on its misguided threat by passing HB 2248, which states: State funds shall not be expended by the University of… Read more

  • College Censorship of Online Speech in 2008

    December 23, 2008

    This year, FIRE has seen a number of colleges take steps to regulate online speech. The Internet makes it easier than ever for people to communicate with one another, and thus presents a whole new world for would-be censors of campus speech. FIRE has kept a close watch on the developing relationship between colleges and… Read more

  • Weekly Media Round-Up: FIRE’s Pressure on Michigan State Over ‘Spamming’ Case Heating Up

    December 5, 2008

    While FIRE awaits the results of this week’s disciplinary hearing of Michigan State University (MSU) undergraduate Kara Spencer—who faces possible suspension for sending "spam" e-mails to 391 MSU professors—word of the case and FIRE’s involvement has quickly spread throughout the East Lansing, Michigan, campus and beyond. Shortly following the sending of FIRE’s letter to MSU… Read more

  • Tennessee State Bans JuicyCampus.com from Network

    November 20, 2008

    It was only a matter of time before some university decided to ban the gossip website JuicyCampus.com from its network, and now one has: Tennessee State University in Nashville. According to a November 12 letter from Vice President for Student Affairs Michael A. Freeman (see page 6 of the November 17 edition of The Meter,… Read more