School Spotlight

Tennessee Technological University

Location: Cookeville, Tennessee
Type: Public

Speech Code Rating

Tennessee Technological University has been given the speech code rating Yellow. Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more
This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech. This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech. This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech.

  • Policy Policy No. 302 Student Conduct: Prohibited Conduct- Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 29, 2020

    Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to the following: … Any conduct that falls within the terms of Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-17-308 (Harassment) or 39-17-315 (Stalking) or “student-on-student harassment,” which means unwelcome conduct directed toward a person that is discriminatory on a b... Read More

  • Policy No. 121 Access to and Use of Campus Property and Facilities: Distribution of Leaflets, Literature, Pamphlets, Etc.

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: September 29, 2020

    A. Subject to the requirements of TTU Policy 007 (Free Speech on Campus), Tennessee Tech limits locations where the sale or distribution of literature associated with an activity or event will be allowed. B. Subject to the requirements of TTU Policy 007 (Free Speech on Campus), a User must request to distribute or s... Read More

  • Guide for Successful Living: Community Bill of Rights

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: September 29, 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. … The right to be free from peer pressure or ridicule regarding one’s beliefs, i... Read More

  • Policy No. 144 Title IX Policy and Grievance Procedures

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 29, 2020

    Sexual harassment — 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 Tennessee Tech’s education program or activity; R... Read More

  • Policy No. 007 Free Speech on Campus

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 29, 2020

    B. Tennessee Tech is committed to giving Students the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn, and discuss any issue, subject to limitations set forth in this policy or in state or federal law. C. Tennessee Tech is committed to maintaining a campus as a marketplace of ideas for all Stude... Read More

  • Policy No. 121 Access to and Use of Campus Property and Facilities: Use of Non-designated Areas

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: September 29, 2020

    2. Affiliated Users are required to submit an Application for Use for open-air (open space) activities and events if any of the following apply: a. The Affiliated User wants to be assured that the Property will be available for use at the preferred time; b. The activity or event will involve more than twenty-five (2... Read More

  • Policy No. 141 Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 29, 2020

    Harassment: unwelcome conduct based on a protected category where, considering the totality of the circumstances, the conduct complained of is (1) objectively offensive and (2) sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the conditions of an employee-Complainant’s employment or to interfere with or deny a student-Comp... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Tennessee Tech punishes professors for flyer parodying Game of Thrones

    April 26, 2021

    Tennessee Tech University is seeking to punish two professors for lampooning a local government official. By doing so, the university is disregarding the First Amendment, common sense, and its own policies promising faculty expressive rights. FIRE urges Tennessee Tech to reverse its disciplinary findings against the professors and refrain from punishing them for exercising their… Read more

  • Sixth Circuit Publishes Important Campus Speech Case

    July 9, 2012

    The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently decided to publish its April decision (PDF) in McGlone v. Bell, an important case for campus speech rights. It’s worth taking a closer look at the case and its implications for free speech zones maintained by universities nationwide. In McGlone, the Court ruled that… Read more