School Spotlight
University of Southern Maine
Speech Code Rating
This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech.
University of Maine System Policy Manual – Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence, Stalking and Retaliation and Title IX Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 2, 2020Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual assault and sexual violence. Sexual harassment, including sexual assault, can involve persons of the same or opposite sex. Consistent with the law, this policy p... Read MoreUSM Bias Incident Report Form
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: September 2, 2020The University of Southern Maine supports and promotes diversity and does not condone any bias or harassment. USM encourages all faculty, staff and students to report incidents of bias or harassment. This form should be used by USM students, faculty and staff to report incidents of bias based on, but not limited to,... Read MoreUse of University Facilities & Grounds Policy: Use of Banners, Flyers, and Posters
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: September 2, 2020All flyers posted on general use bulletin boards and inside the residence halls on the USM campuses must be stamped by the Student Life office in either the Woodbury or Brooks Student Centers or the Dean’s Office at the Lewiston Campus. The office stamping the flyer will retain one copy of the flyer in their E... Read MoreUniversity of Maine System: Sexual Harassment in the Classroom and the Workplace
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 2, 2020SEXUAL 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 can include: sexual assault stalking deliberate touching, pinching, caressing attempts to fondle pressure for... Read MoreAcceptable Use of Information Resources Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: September 2, 2020[U]nacceptable uses and behaviors include, but are not limited to: … harassing other computer users or University staff; … intentionally and unnecessarily exposing others to material they may find personally unsuitable. Read MoreUniversity of Maine System Student Conduct Code: Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 2, 2020Harassment: Repeated and/or severe acts of unwelcome behavior that creates a hostile working, educational, or living environment that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s academic or job performance and opportunities. Read MoreUniversity of Maine System Policy Manual – Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Relationship Violence, Stalking and Retaliation and Title IX Sexual Harassment- Title IX Sexual Harassment Definitions
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 2, 2020The Title IX regulations define Sexual Harassment as conduct on the basis of sex that must satisfy one or more of the following: … Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to UMS’ education program or ac... Read MoreUniversity of Maine System Policy Manual – Free Speech, Academic Freedom, & Civility
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 2, 2020The Board of Trustees is committed to protecting the rights all University community members share to free speech, which includes free expression and assembly, as enshrined in the U.S. and Maine State Constitutions. There shall be no restriction at any System institutions on these fundamental rights, although the Un... Read MoreUse of University Facilities & Grounds Policy: The Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: September 2, 2020Members of the University Community may conduct meetings, assemblies, and spontaneous demonstrations in all unrestricted areas of campus, provided that such meetings, assemblies, and demonstrations: (a) Are conducted in a lawful and orderly manner and in compliance with this policy and all other rules and regulation... Read MoreUse of University Facilities & Grounds Policy: The Policy
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: September 2, 2020USM’s mission of education, research and public service is dependent upon the free flow of ideas. Given this, protecting free speech activities is of fundamental importance to the University. We understand that the exchange of diverse viewpoints may, at times, expose people to ideas they find offensive and cre... Read More
REPORT: Artists clash with campus censors
July 10, 2018
Art purged for being “one-sided,” among other excuses Censors, often not understanding the message, ban art rather than grapple with its meaning PHILADELPHIA, July 10, 2018 — Art censorship is nothing new. Spanish conquistadors smashed ceramics of ancient Peruvian cultures that portrayed gay and lesbian sex. The Roman Catholic Church of the 15th century was… Read more
By censoring art, University of Southern Maine misses an opportunity
May 11, 2018
Last month, the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn campus removed three oil paintings from their Atrium Art Gallery by local painter Bruce Habowski, despite objections from the exhibition’s curator, after it was discovered that Habowski is a convicted sex offender. Habowski, of Waterville, Maine, was convicted of unlawful sexual contact in 1999. He was sentenced… Read more
Proposed University of Maine System policy unduly restricts faculty political activity
January 17, 2018
The University of Maine System Board of Trustees will consider a policy revision at a meeting later this month that would restrict how university employees engage in political activity. The policy, called “Institutional Authority on Political Matters,” unnecessarily restricts faculty political expression and needs some revisions before being adopted. For example, the policy would prevent… Read more
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