School Spotlight
University of North Alabama
Speech Code Rating
Student Handbook: Harassment and Nondiscrimination Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 18, 2019Harassment is defined as behavior that involves an expressed or implied threat through gestures, mannerisms, and/or body language, to interfere with an individual’s personal safety, academic efforts, employment, or participation in university-sponsored extracurricular activities and causes the person to have a reaso... Read MoreCode of Student Conduct: Unwelcome Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 18, 2019[Unwelcome] Harassment. Any unwelcome conduct based on actual or perceived status including: [sex, gender, race, color, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy status, religion, sexual orientation or other protected status]. Any unwelcome conduct should be repo... Read MoreCode of Student Conduct: Bullying and Cyberbullying
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: April 18, 2019Bullying and cyberbullying are repeated and/or severe aggressive behaviors that intimidate or intentionally harm or control another person physically or emotionally, and are not protected by freedom of expression. Read MoreTitle IX Definitions
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 18, 2019A hostile environment may be created by verbal, written, graphic, or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent/pervasive and objectively offensive that it unreasonably interferes with, limits or denies the ability of an individual to participate in or benefit from educational programs or activities ... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Campus Speakers Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: April 18, 2019The University of North Alabama is committed to fostering a learning environment in which free inquiry and expression are encouraged. Read MoreStudent Handbook: Campus Speakers Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: April 18, 2019Lawful and peaceful demonstration as an expression is permitted and protected. On the other hand, the University will not tolerate substantial disruption to its educational mission. Substantial disruption is defined to include any activity which, contrary to law: …“hate violence,” meaning any act of physical i... Read More
University of North Alabama: Newspaper Adviser’s Job Eliminated After Critical Stories
January 15, 2019
University removes newspaper advisor following coverage critical of university administration.
University of North Alabama: “Protocol” on Speaking With Media
November 27, 2018
UNA asserts an unwritten “protocol” barring staff members from speaking with the press.
10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech: 2019
February 12, 2019
Every January, FIRE staffers convene to compile our list of the previous year’s worst colleges for free speech. Reviewing the lowlights of the year reminds each of us that campus censors can be pretty creative. Just when you think you’ve seen everything — and over FIRE’s 20-year history, we’ve seen a lot — some enterprising… Read more
FIRE renews call to reinstate adviser position at U. of N. Alabama
January 30, 2019
Today is Student Press Freedom Day — when we look back at the state of the student press over the last year, as well as forward to how we might better protect student journalists in the year to come. And while thinking about the big picture can be helpful when coming up with a plan… Read more
On Student Press Freedom Day, a look back at censorship in 2018
January 30, 2019
Despite what you may have heard in school, America is (by some measures) not home to the freest press in the world. Since 2013, the United States’ press freedom ranking tumbled 13 spots to 45th globally. And freedom of the press is even more attenuated for student reporters, who face additional hurdles from administrators, legislators,… Read more
FIRE calls for reinstatement of U. North Alabama newspaper adviser position
December 7, 2018
When a college or university receives two letters from FIRE in two weeks, it usually means one of two things is true: Either the school saw the error of its ways quickly and is getting praise, or it has engaged in such a compound series of indefensible actions that investigating one brings to light others…. Read more
North Alabama student journalists run blank front page after censorship attempt, earn praise from local newspaper
December 4, 2018
The University of North Alabama’s independent student newspaper ran a blank front page late last week to protest the retaliatory firing of their adviser. Now, the local newspaper is praising the students for “standing their ground under the protection of the First Amendment.” On Nov. 29, the staff of The Flor-Ala printed their bi-weekly issue… Read more
University of North Alabama censured over treatment of student newspaper adviser; unwritten media ‘protocol’ earns written letter from FIRE
November 27, 2018
Yesterday, the College Media Association announced that its membership had voted to censure the University of North Alabama over its circumspect removal of a student newspaper adviser — a decision announced shortly after the university’s provost expressed displeasure over its media coverage. Today, FIRE is sending a letter to the university concerning a corollary threat… Read more
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