Tulane University
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Website: http://www.tulane.edu
Type: Private
Federal Circuit: 5th Circuit
Speech Code Rating
Tulane 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 here.
Red Light Policies
Technology Services: Guidelines for Email Use
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: August 28, 2018The use of University email for following is prohibited:
- Creating or disseminating inappropriate or offensive messages, including racial or sexist slurs, pornography, harassing communication and threats of violence.
Technology Services: Acceptable Use Policy
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: August 28, 2018Respectful Communication.
You agree to communicate only in ways that are kind and respectful. You agree to not intentionally access, transmit, copy, or create material that violates applicable laws or the University’s code of conduct (such as messages that are pornographic, threatening, rude, discriminatory, or meant to harass).
Posting & Advertising Policy: Distribution/Solicitation
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: August 28, 2018Tulane University has a No Solicitation policy. Solicitations and promotions are not permitted on campus grounds or in campus buildings, including residence halls. The distribution (handing out to passers-by) of noncommercial, informational materials is allowed outside campus buildings only by recognized student organizations, university departments, and Tulane affiliates, all of whom must receive prior approval by the Division of Campus Services in Lavin-Bernick Center, Suite 107. The distribution of materials in the LBC is only permitted through the use of reserved booths which are sponsored by a university department or recognized student organization.
Posting & Advertising Policy: General Guidelines for Posting on Bulletin Boards
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: August 28, 2018c. Publicity must not degrade groups or individuals.
d. The Division of University Services reserves the right to reject publicity material if it is deemed inappropriate or if it fails to comply with the university guidelines.Bias Incidents, Discrimination, & Your Rights
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: August 28, 2018Tulane University values an open and affirming learning and work environment, void of homophobia, heterosexism, transphobia, sexism, and other forms of gender- and sex-based bias and discrimination. If you have seen homophobic or transphobic graffiti or language used on campus or witnessed or experienced harassment, a bias incident, a hate crime, or discrimination, please (1) submit a report online and (2) contact the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE).
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Bias incidents involve actions committed against a person or property that are motivated, in whole or in part, by their bias against race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender expression or identity, genetic information, age, or disability. … All hate crimes are bias incidents, but not all bias incidents are hate crimes.
Posting & Advertising Policy: Appendix IV: Housing & Residence Life Posting Policies
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: August 28, 2018Students are free to post signs, artwork, advertisements, etc. in good taste on the exterior side of the door to their individual room. Resident Advisors may ask students with inappropriate postings on their doors to remove them.
Tulane University Demonstration Guidelines
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: August 28, 2018The University expects that the expression of views be made with respect for the dignity and freedom of others.
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Demonstrations must be registered at least two business days prior to the demonstration via the Demonstration Registration Form on OrgSync. It is recommended that demonstration organizers register the demonstration as early as possible if it is anticipated that significant preparations may have to be made in advance of the demonstration. Following submission of the Demonstration Registration Form, the demonstration organizer(s) may be contacted by the Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Campus Life or their designee to schedule a meeting to review demonstration details, needs, and guidelines and to finalize approval for the demonstration.
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• Demonstrations can take place on campus in the following areas, permitting the activities do not interfere with a current reservation:
o McAlister Auditorium Plaza
o LBC Pocket Park
o Academic QuadEqual Opportunity/Anti‐Discrimination Policies
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 28, 2018Sexual harassment is unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature by faculty, administrators, staff, students, and individuals affiliated with Tulane University by contract (including non-employees, such as vendors and independent contractors) or by anyone with whom one interacts in order to pursue educational or employment activities at the University. For the purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome advances, requests for special favors, and any other verbal, written, physical or other conduct of a sexual nature when:
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Such conduct would be objectively regarded by a reasonable person as having the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s ability to learn or work or participate in University programs or activities by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment even if the person engaging in the conduct does not intend to interfere, intimidate, or be hostile or offensive.
Examples of Sexual Harassment – Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, the following:
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Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for a romantic or sexual relationship to an individual who indicates or has indicated in any way that such conduct is unwelcome, propositions or other sexual comments, such as sexually-oriented gestures, noises, remarks, jokes, questions, or comments about a person’s sexuality or sexual experience.
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Prohibited discrimination or harassment, other than sexual harassment, is verbal, physical, written, or other conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion to an individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, military status, veteran status, or any other status or classification protected by federal, state or local law. Discrimination or harassment based on any of the above categories is strictly prohibited by this policy.
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2016 Commencement Season Relatively Calm, But Lacks Viewpoint Diversity
May 2, 2016
By Stephanie Keaveny at The John William Pope Center Each year commencement season brings the opportunity for celebrities and politicians to speak to college graduates and impart sage advice… Read more here.
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‘The Chalkening’ of Trump: Terror Grows on Campuses
April 18, 2016
By Bob Unruh at World Net Daily On university campuses, where many enthusiastic students vote for the first time, political candidates’ slogans typically appear on signs, bumper stickers, T-shirts, placards, dorm-room walls and even in chalk on sidewalks… Read more here.
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Compelling ‘Civility’
June 1, 2012
Earlier this week, an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required) discussed the growing popularity on college campuses of programs aimed at promoting civility. While one might reasonably ask whether there is a connection between exorbitant tuition rates, administrative bloat, and programs such as the “transformational, saturation approach” civility projects discussed in the article, there is no problem from an individual rights standpoint with colleges promoting civility. The individual rights problem, which the article barely even hints at, is that a large number of colleges and universities actually compel civility rather than simply encouraging it. The article focuses […]
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‘Tulane Hullabaloo’ on Tulane’s Speech Codes
February 3, 2012
Today, the editorial board of The Tulane Hullabaloo, the student paper at Tulane University, has written an editorial in support of FIRE’s analysis of Tulane’s “red light” policies. The piece quotes FIRE Senior Vice President Robert Shibley and calls for the university to promote free speech on campus. The editorial board writes, in part: “There’s the concern that it’s very difficult to define what is ‘inappropriate’”… Shibley said. “Those are definitions that depend on the opinion of the person you ask, and what’s inappropriate to somebody might not be to their friend or roommate.” Efforts to create a positive campus […]
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See No Evil: Tulane Students Vote to Ban Gossip Site ‘CollegeACB’
May 7, 2010
Torch readers will remember the controversy surrounding JuicyCampus.com, the much-reviled gossip website that was a frequent target of calls for banishment from university networks on the basis of the often salacious, sometimes malicious comments posted to it by students. JuicyCampus folded on February 4, 2009, but its spirit lives on in the form of CollegeACB.com. CollegeACB touts itself as existing on a higher plane than its predecessor; a site that “consistently hosts a higher level of discourse—while still making room for the occasional gossip post.” Nonetheless, at Tulane University, CollegeACB has become enough of a concern among the student body […]
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Tulane University Contemplates Adopting ‘Preponderance of Evidence’ Standard for Student Judiciary Affairs
December 2, 2009
Tulane University’s Student Affairs Committee recently voted to pass a revised Student Code of Conduct that, among other measures, would lower the standard of evidence in student disciplinary matters from one of “clear and convincing evidence” to a “preponderance of evidence.” As the Tulane student newspaper The Hullabaloo reports, the new Code of Conduct still needs to pass through the Faculty Senate and the University Senate, and be approved by Tulane President Scott Cowen’s cabinet, before taking effect. However, as it currently stands, the revised Code of Conduct would deal a major blow to students’ due process rights. Coupled with […]
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Advocacy group ‘red flags’ Tulane’s free speech policy
March 28, 2008
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a student rights advocacy group, is asking Tulane University President Scott Cowen to clarify the university’s policy on free expression. In a letter sent via mail and facsimile, the Philadelphia-based organization states that Tulane maintains “vague and seemingly contradictory” statements about the limit of students’ free speech rights on campus. “The University encourages the free exchange of ideas and opinions, but insists that the free expression of views must be made with respect for the human dignity and freedom of others,” according to Tulane’s Student Code of Conduct. “All individuals and/or groups of the […]
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Policies are rated on their inclusion of 10 due process safeguards. Each policy may receive 2 points for fully including that safeguard, 1 point for partial inclusion, and 0 points for no meaningful inclusion. Most, but not all, institutions have separate policies for sexual misconduct and all other misconduct. See FIRE’s Spotlight on Due Process report for more information.