University of Maine – Presque Isle

Location: Presque Isle, Maine
Website: http://www.umpi.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 1st Circuit

Speech Code Rating

University of Maine – Presque Isle 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.

At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

Red Light Policies

  • Residence Hall Guide: Physical Violence or Harassment

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: June 15, 2015

    Harassment is a form of violence that can result in the intimidation of another student. Even if the harassment is unintentional (e.g., off-hand comment, joke) it still occurs and will not be tolerated. Harassment is the violation of another’s rights; it could be related to sex, races, religion, personal habits, or even to someone’s physique. It can be communicated by actions or in a verbal or written form. The right not to be harassed shall be guarded by the staff and should be honored by all students.

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Yellow Light Policies

  • Faculty Handbook: Policy Statement on Free Speech and Assembly

    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: June 15, 2015

    [P]rotests/demonstrations are, for the most part, limited to the exterior of campus buildings and must not impede entrance or egress in a manner that would pose a safety problem in the event of a fire or other emergency. Protests/demonstrations are prohibited within fifty (50) feet of any public entrance and should not be conducted in a manner which is intimidating or threatening to a diverse audience. Organizers wishing to demonstrate must make timely notification (usually three (3) working days) of a protest/demonstration to the University of Maine at Presque Isle Security Office.

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  • Sexual Harassment Policy

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: June 15, 2015

    Sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual attention that is a form of illegal sex discrimination under federal and state law. It is usually repeated behavior, but could be one serious incident. Sexual harassment may be blatant, as in:

    • Deliberate touching, pinching, caressing.
    • Attempts to fondle or kiss,
    • Pressure for dates or sex,
    • Requests for sex in exchange for grades or promotions.
    • OR sexual harassment may be more subtle – like staring, sexual jokes, or teasing, sexually demeaning remarks.

     

    Although such forms of harassment may be unintentional, persistent or severe sexual behavior and words are harassing if a reasonable person would find them intimidating, hostile, or offensive, or if they unreasonably interfere with a person’s academic or work performance. When the harassing conduct is not sexual, but is based on someone’s gender, it can also contribute to creating a hostile environment.

    …

    Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

    • Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or education;
    • Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for academic or employment decisions affecting the individual; or
    • Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive employment, education or living environment.

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Green Light Policies

  • University of Maine System Student Conduct Code: Violations

    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: June 15, 2015

    The following violations indicate categories of conduct or activity which will violate the Code. … Harassment or intimidation of another person. … Harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status or gender expression, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veterans status.

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  • Creating wimps at University of Maine

    November 7, 2006

    By Jason Antebi at Family Security Matters There is one thing we definitely do not need during a time of war: wimpy Americans. Unfortunately for students at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), the manly men that enroll as freshmen may graduate a pansy, due to the absurd campus atmosphere of political correctness.   As the Foundation for Rights in Education (FIRE) notes on their blog The Torch, UMPI has a remarkably foolish (and not to mention unconstitutional) anti-harassment rule. According to their handbook:  Even if the harassment is unintentional (e.g., an off-hand comment or joke) it still […]

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  • Speech Code of the Month: University of Maine – Presque Isle

    November 3, 2006

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for November 2006: University of Maine – Presque Isle. The University of Maine – Presque Isle’s (UMPI’s) Residence Hall Guide contains a harassment policy that states: “Even if the harassment is unintentional (e.g., an off-hand comment or joke) it still occurs and will not be tolerated.” As a public university, UMPI cannot prohibit speech that is protected by the First Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court has defined what schools may legitimately prohibit as harassment: conduct “so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively bars the victim’s access to an educational opportunity […]

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