School Spotlight

University of Southern Mississippi

Location: Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Type: Public

Speech Code Rating

University of Southern Mississippi has been given the speech code rating Green. Green light institutions are those colleges and universities whose policies nominally protect free speech. Read more

  • Policy PRES-AA-001: Sexual Misconduct Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 5, 2020

    Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature (e.g. sexual advances, requests for sexual favors etc.) when: (1) such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive, and objectively offensive to a reasonable person that it produces a hostile environment … Whether sexual harassment is suffic... Read More

  • Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for Student Organizations: University Anti-Bullying Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: September 5, 2020

    “Bullying or harassing behavior” is defined as any pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications, or any physical act or any threatening communication, or any act reasonably perceived as being motivated by any actual or perceived differentiating characteristic, that takes place on any property ... Read More

  • Residence Life Handbook: Southern Miss Standard

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: September 5, 2020

    The Southern Miss Standard was developed to embody the values we hope residents possess. At the same time, the university is strongly committed to freedom of expression. Consequently, these principles do not constitute university policy and are not intended to interfere in any way with a resident’s personal freedoms... Read More

  • Policy ACAF-IT-010: Acceptable Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 5, 2020

    The following activities including, but not limited to, are strictly prohibited: … Any form of harassment via email, messaging service, forum, or social media; whether through language, frequency, or size of messages. Read More

  • Interim Sexual Harassment Policy And Procedures

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 5, 2020

    Sexual Harassment Unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so objectively offensive, pervasive, and severe that it effectively denies a person equal access to the recipient’s educational program or activity. Read More

  • Policy STUA-UNA-012: Free Speech, Demonstration and Protest Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: September 5, 2020

    1. The University has established high visibility areas on campus in order to facilitate robust debate and the free exchange of ideas. These Free Speech Zones may be used by any person, including non-students and other campus guests: 1. Hattiesburg Campus: 1. Shoemaker Square Fountain (Paved area immediately surroun... Read More

  • Code of Student Conduct: The Creed at Southern Miss

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Policies Restricting Freedom of Conscience
    Last updated: September 5, 2020

    While not a part of the Code of Student Conduct, The Creed at Southern Miss is a statement that was endorsed by the Student Government Association to express how students should ideally interact with each other in a community of diverse ideas and opinions. Students are only subject to disciplinary action based on vi... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • University of Southern Mississippi earns FIRE’s highest free speech rating

    February 19, 2019

    After policy changes, Southern Miss becomes 47th institution in America to earn FIRE’s highest rating for free speech Mississippi’s three largest universities earn FIRE’s highest rating, while other state institutions maintain policies that restrict First Amendment rights HATTIESBURG, Miss., Feb. 19, 2019 — The University of Southern Mississippi revised its speech policies to join an… Read more

  • Discipline of Southern Mississippi Band Members Raises Possible Free Speech Concerns

    March 21, 2012

    The Associated Press reports that the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has taken disciplinary action against five members of the university’s pep band for chanting "Where’s your green card" at Kansas State University basketball player Angel Rodriguez while he shot free throws during a game against USM last week. The university confirmed in a statement… Read more

  • In Mississippi, ‘The Clarion-Ledger’ Reports on Dangers of State Colleges’ Speech Codes

    August 16, 2010

    In today’s edition of The Clarion-Ledger, the Jackson, Mississippi newspaper reports on speech codes maintained at public colleges statewide. Spurred by FIRE’s recent victory at nearby Hinds Community College, reporter Elizabeth Crisp writes: Students at Mississippi universities may have to watch what they say more than those in other states because of policies that free-speech… Read more