School Spotlight

University of California, Merced

Location: Merced, California
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

University of California, Merced 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

  • Student Handbook: Campus Activities and Use of Facilities- Posting Regulations

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: April 16, 2020

    All materials must be reviewed by the Office of Student Life prior to posting to ensure that the materials clearly indicate the name of the sponsoring organization(s), unit(s) or individual(s) and their contact information. Read More

  • University of California Campus Climate

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: April 15, 2020

    If you experience or observe behavior that is inconsistent with our Principles of Community, please report it. You may report in a variety of ways: Report anonymously or by name, via this Campus Climate page, by selecting the University of California campus where the incident occurred from the list to the right and... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Campus Activities and Use of Facilities- Grounds Open to the Public

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: April 16, 2020

    On University grounds generally open to the public, all persons may exercise the constitutionally protected rights of free expression, speech, assembly, worship and distribution of literature incidental to the exercise of these freedoms; however, these activities must not interfere with the orderly operation of the ... Read More

  • University of California Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 15, 2020

    Sexual Harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favors, and other unwelcome verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: … such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it unreasonably denies, adversely limits, or interferes with a person’s partici... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct- Grounds for Discipline and Sanctions

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: April 16, 2020

    Harassment, defined as conduct that is so severe and/or pervasive, and objectively offensive, and that so substantially impairs a person’s access to University programs or activities that the person is effectively denied equal access to the University’s resources and opportunities. Read More

  • University of California Schools Flout Student Speech Rights

    November 29, 2011

    While some University of California schools are facing scrutiny due to their handling of students’ exercises of free speech and civil disobedience, others in the system have unfinished business protecting students’ free speech rights in their policies. All eight of the UC universities reviewed by FIRE have “red light” or “yellow light” ratings for restricting campus… Read more