University of Michigan – Dearborn
Location: Dearborn, Michigan
Website: http://www.umdearborn.edu
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 6th Circuit
Speech Code Rating
University of Michigan – Dearborn 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
Standard Practice Guide Policies: Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 19, 2018A claim under this policy may be brought by the University or by a faculty, staff or student member of the University community based on the conduct of any University employee.
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An individual may engage in conduct of a sexual nature that may not be sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive to constitute sexual harassment as described below, but is nonetheless inappropriate. Such conduct also will not be tolerated by the University, is prohibited by the University and is subject to discipline up to and including termination of employment.
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Some examples of conduct that may constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
Unwanted sexual statements – sexual or “dirty” jokes, comments on physical attributes, spreading rumors about or rating others as to sexual activity or performance, talking about one’s sexual activity in front of others, and displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures and/or written material. Unwanted sexual statements can be made in person, in writing, electronically (email, instant messaging, blogs, web pages, etc.), and otherwise.
Rights and Obligations of Speakers, Audience Members and Protesters at Public Presentations of the University of Michigan-Dearborn
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: September 19, 2018UM-Dearborn has no obligation to insure audience access to public events, to protect the rights of the speaker and those who wish to hear and communicate with the speaker, and to provide all with personal security.
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The broadcast [sic] range of speech and expression will be tolerated in public forums in order to facilitate the discussion and debate of ideas and issues. However, the intentional use of racial, ethnocentric or sexual invectives, epithets, slurs or utterances directly to attach or injure another individual rather than express or discuss an idea of philosophy are beyond the boundaries of protected speech. Additionally, malicious and intentional verbal threats of violence directed towards an individual, physical violence and destruction of property are misconduct and will be subject to discipline.
Student Sexual Misconduct Policy
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 19, 2018Sexual Harassment – unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature if: … such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or abusive environment for that individual’s education, living environment, employment, or participation in a University-related activity. Sexual harassment may occur via various communication devices, via social media, or via the Internet.
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Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: unwanted sexual statements; unwanted personal attention (e.g., cyber-stalking); unwanted physical or sexual advances that would constitute sexual assault (as defined in this policy); electronic recording, photographing, or transmitting intimate or sexual utterances, sounds, or images without the knowledge and consent of all parties involved; touching oneself sexually for others to view; and voyeurism (e.g., spying on others who are in intimate or sexual situations).
Student Engagement: Policies, Resources & Forms- Posting
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: September 19, 2018Public Posting is encouraged on specific bulletin boards across campus. All postings must be stamped for approval by the Office for Student Engagement, located at 2136 University Center.
The posting of any information or advertisement and distribution of posted materials is governed not only by the below policy, but by all other applicable University policies and procedures. Posted material includes, but is not limited: flyers, signs and/or posters.
- All posted materials must include the name of the sponsoring individual or organization, as well as a valid email address and/or telephone number. …
Bias-Related Incidents and Hate Crimes Reporting
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: September 19, 2018In addition to the university’s discrimination and harassment policies, members of our community should also be free from acts of hate crimes and bias incidents based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital status and veteran status.
The university encourages students, faculty and staff to report hate crimes and bias-related incidents.
Student Rights & Code of Conduct
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 19, 2018Free inquiry and free expression are essential attributes of the University community. As members of the community, students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a substantial independent search for truth.
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Students at the University have the same rights and protections under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan as other citizens. These rights include freedom of expression, press, religion, and assembly. Higher education has a long tradition of student activism and values freedom of expression, which includes voicing unpopular views and dissent. As members of our University community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for granting the same right to others.
Standard Practice Guide Policies: Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 19, 2018Expression of diverse points of view is of the highest importance, not only for those who espouse a cause or position and then defend it, but also for those who hear and pass judgment on that defense. The belief that an opinion is pernicious, false, or in any other way detestable cannot be grounds for its suppression.
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Rude or offensive behavior, though inconsistent with the standards of civility that we hope would prevail on a university campus, sometimes fall within the legitimate exercise of freedom of speech and, when it does, may not be suppressed.
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Because freedom of speech and expression play such a critical role in the functioning of a university, undue interference with the exercise of these freedoms by members of the University community may constitute grounds for resort to law or other formal action.
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Federal judge’s dangerous speech code ruling overshadows promising due process decision
November 27, 2018
Last week, a federal district court issued a ruling in a lawsuit brought by University of Michigan professor Pamela Smock against her institution that is notable for its sharply divided outcomes on several major civil liberties issues facing public university faculty. While the decision is promising with regard to campus due process protections, its holding on freedom of speech and academic freedom threatens faculty rights. Pamela Smock, a tenured sociology professor and demographer whose scholarship focuses on issues involving sexuality and gender, sued the University of Michigan earlier this year. Smock sued after she was disciplined for alleged misconduct specified […]
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