School Spotlight

University of Massachusetts at Lowell

Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

University of Massachusetts at Lowell 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

  • Policy IT-5-101: Acceptable Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Red
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: February 19, 2019

    No user of information technology resources may take any of the following actions: … Use information technology resource irresponsibly or in a manner that needlessly affects the work of others. This includes transmitting or making accessible offensive, or harassing material … Use information technology r... Read More

  • Guidelines for Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 19, 2019

    Sexual Harassment is gender-based verbal or physical conduct that is: unwelcome or without consent, sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it, has the effect of unreasonably interfering with, denying or limiting someone’s work performance or ability to participate in or benefit from the University’s educ... Read More

  • Bias Incident Response Protocol

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: February 19, 2019

    The objectives of the Bias Incident Response Protocol are to: (1) Respond to bias incidents in a timely and coordinated manner (2) Support the well-being of the campus community by ensuring all participants are welcomed, valued and respected (3) Offer campus members a convenient and efficient means to report bias in... Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: University Jurisdiction & Standards- Sexual Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 19, 2019

    Sexual harassment can occur between individuals of different sexes or of the same sex. Sexual harassment may occur in the form of sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is unwelcomed conduct of a sexual nature when: 1. submission to such conduct is made e... Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: University Jurisdiction & Standards- Lewd/Indecent Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: February 19, 2019

    Lewd or indecent conduct or expression, on or off campus/University property, or at University sponsored or supervised functions are a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: University Jurisdiction & Standards- Respect and Protection for Persons and Property

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: February 19, 2019

    Conduct less than a physical attack or physical interference which interferes with a person in the conduct of his or her customary or usual affairs, such as the posting of threatening letters directed to the person, the use of threatening language directed at another, harassing or threatening telephone calls, email,... Read More

  • Student Conduct Code: Appendix D- Guidelines for Responses to Demonstrations on University Property

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: February 19, 2019

    The University of Massachusetts recognizes the rights of members of the University community to freedom of assembly and speech, and strongly believes in fostering discourse and the free exchange of ideas at the University. … Demonstrations are limited to appropriate public forums, which do not include among ot... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • Don’t Film Me, Bro!

    May 18, 2012

    The Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice issued a guidance letter this week finding a First Amendment right to record police engaged in their official duties. Professor Eugene Volokh of UCLA School of Law picks up on this over at the Volokh Conspiracy. The most recent case clarifying this First Amendment right… Read more

  • UMass Lowell: Be Careful How You Address Controversial Speech

    May 14, 2012

    Yet another joke issue of a college student publication has encountered controversy on campus for being intentionally offensive in order to comment on a variety of issues. The good news is that the dean of students at University of Massachusetts Lowell, Larry Siegel, has taken punishment of the independent student newspaper, the Connector, off of… Read more