School Spotlight
University of Northern Colorado
Speech Code Rating
Housing & Residential Education 2018-2019 Handbook: Bias Motivated Incidents
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: April 2, 2019The policy prohibits any action that is motivated by bias. Actions that are motivated by bias include any act, display or communication by which the actor intends or threatens to intimate [sic] or harass another person, including disrupting normal University activities or a student’s focus on academic or other legit... Read MoreHousing & Residential Education 2018-2019 Handbook: Noisy, Disorderly, or Disruptive Behaviors
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: April 2, 2019Disruptive behavior may include: disorderly, indecent, or obscene conduct or expression; hygiene concerns; voyeuristic behavior; emotional outbursts; and/or reckless behavior. Read MoreBoard of Trustees Policy Manual: Sexual Harassment Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 2, 2019Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive employment or educational environment. Read MoreOutdoor Event Permit Application Instructions
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: April 2, 2019This application is utilized for outdoor events on campus or other property controlled by the University of Northern Colorado for assemblies, demonstrations, gatherings, parades and/or activities with amplified sound. … The completed permit application must be submitted to the UNC Police Department for final a... Read MoreStudent Code of Conduct: Prohibited Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 2, 2019Physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion, and/or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person, including one’s self. … Harassment, which consists of any verbal, visual, written or physical conduct that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it... Read MoreSexual Misconduct Prevention and Resources: Definitions
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: April 2, 2019Hostile Environment Unwelcome sexual conduct that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of education or employment and creates an environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive. The determination of whether an environment is “hostile” must be based on a... Read MoreUNC Computer, Internet & Electronic Communications Procedures
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: April 2, 2019Unacceptable uses that are prohibited include, but are not limited to the following: … Unlawful communications, including threats of violence, obscenity, child pornography and harassing communications … The intentional propagation of computer “worms”, “viruses”, activities that pl... Read More
University of Northern Colorado: Restrictions on Fraternal Activities in Response to Misconduct Allegations
February 5, 2020
In January 2020, after receiving reports of alleged misconduct, the University of Northern Colorado banned all seven fraternities in its Interfraternity Council from conducting a wide array of fraternal activities during the spring semester. The restrictions encompass all activities related to recruitment, social events, alumni events, and other fraternal functions regardless of how small, brief,… Read more
FIRE calls on Northern Colorado to lift blanket restrictions on Greek activities
February 5, 2020
GREELEY, Colo., Feb. 5, 2020 — It has all the ingredients of an ancient Athenian play. A powerful leader forbids a young man from associating with his closest allies. Assembling with his elders is forbidden. His fate: unknown. The only difference is, this Greek tragedy is playing out in Colorado, circa 2020 A.D. On Jan…. Read more
University of Northern Colorado to End ‘Bias Response Team,’ But What Next?
September 9, 2016
Over the summer, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) came under fire after public records requests revealed that its “Bias Response Team” (BRT) had repeatedly intervened to direct faculty members to cease discussing controversial topics in order to avoid offending students. Now, as the Greeley Tribune reports, UNC President Kay Norton is pledging to shutter… Read more
University of Northern Colorado Defends, Modifies ‘Bias Response Team’ as Criticism Mounts and Recording Emerges
July 7, 2016
Last month, documents provided in response to a public records request by Heat Street suggested that the University of Northern Colorado (UNC)’s “Bias Response Team” improperly intervened to instruct professors to avoid controversial subjects. Those records have spurred letters of inquiry from two state senators; a condemnation from the Denver Post editorial board; and concessions… Read more
Facing More Troubling Details and Public Outcry, Northern Colorado Vows to Reconsider Bias Response Team
June 27, 2016
Criticism of University of Northern Colorado’s (UNC’s) Bias Response Team (BRT) is growing amid revelations the school asked professors to avoid teaching controversial subjects for fear of offending students. Now, UNC has vowed to reevaluate the BRT in light of new evidence that its investigations into “‘offensive,’ ‘triggering’ or ‘harmful’” campus speech extended outside the classroom,… Read more
Professor Investigated for Discussing Conflicting Viewpoints, ‘The Coddling of The American Mind’
June 20, 2016
The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) appears to have investigated two professors for asking students to simply consider all sides of the debate over today’s most controversial political and social issues. The investigations were prompted by student complaints made through UNC’s “Bias Response” system, which encourages students to file online reports of any “offensive classroom… Read more
Speech Code of the Month for January 2010: the University of Northern Colorado
January 8, 2010
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for January 2010: the University of Northern Colorado. The University of Northern Colorado’s (UNCO’s) Residence Handbook prohibits “Bias Motivated Incidents,” which include any “inappropriate jokes” that are motivated by bias. The policy also provides that Any discriminatory act is a violation of the Housing & Residence Life… Read more
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