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: March 24, 2021

    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

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

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 28, 2021

    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: Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 28, 2021

    Sexual Harassment is when: … unwelcome sexual or other sex-based conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it unreasonably denies, adversely limits, or interferes with a person’s participation in or benefit from the education, employment or other programs or activities of the University, and creat... Read More

  • University of California Campus Climate

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: March 24, 2021

    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

  • Acceptable Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: March 24, 2021

    Mass messaging. Users shall not spam, or otherwise transmit inappropriate mass messages to newsgroups, bulletin boards, mailing lists, or individuals. Postings to electronic mailing lists, bulletin boards, and similar facilities must be consistent with the stated purpose of the facility. 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: March 24, 2021

    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: Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment-DOE-Covered Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 28, 2021

    Conduct is DOE-Covered Conduct if all of the below are true: … The alleged conduct is DOE Sex-Based Misconduct, meaning it is any of the following: … unwelcome sexual or other sex-based conduct (as defined in Section II of the Policy) that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively ... Read More

  • Zoom cancels another academic event with Leila Khaled, again raising questions about company’s role in the classroom 

    April 22, 2021

    Last week, FIRE praised Zoom for its new policy addressing use of the company’s ubiquitous video-conferencing software in classrooms and describing new protections for academic freedom. It was a much-needed development, especially given universities’ broad reliance on Zoom during COVID-19. The policy affirmed that Zoom would only act on allegations of content violations that originate… 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