University of Texas at Tyler
Location: Tyler, Texas
Website: http://www.uttyler.edu/
Type: Public
Federal Circuit: 5th Circuit
Speech Code Rating
University of Texas at Tyler has been given the speech code rating Yellow. Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more here.
Manual of Policies and Procedures for Student Affairs: Sec. 8-804. Certain Other Offenses
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 30, 201716. Sexual Misconduct includes but is not limited to:
A. Any criminal offense under the Texas Penal Code of a sexual nature, including rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual coercion, or other acts of sexual violence; and
B. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when … such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it substantially interferes with an individual’s education, employment, or participation in University activities …Residence Life Handbook: Resident Consideration Policy
Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
Last updated: August 25, 2017Bullying, harassing, humiliating, demeaning, and other such actions will not be tolerated. This includes but is not limited to inappropriate material about a student in writing or by e-mail, Facebook, etc.; verbally accosting another student, coercing, intimidating, and/or degrading another student; or any other action that creates a hostile living environment.
Manual of Policies and Procedures for Student Affairs: Sec. 6-204. Regulations Applicable to University Property
Last updated: August 25, 2017
1. “Verbal harassment” means hostile or offensive speech, oral, written, or symbolic, that a. personally describes or is personally directed to one or more specific individuals; and b. is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent to create an objectively hostile environment that interferes with or diminishes the victim’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the University; and c. is not necessary to the expression of any idea described in paragraph (2) of this subsection.
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3. Verbal harassment may consist of threats, insults, epithets, ridicule, personal attacks, or the categories of harassing sexual speech set forth in Series 200 of the Handbook of Operating Procedures, and is often based on the victim’s appearance, personal characteristics, or group membership, including but not limited to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, or disability.
b. Harassment can also consist of nonverbal conduct, such as hazing, practical jokes, damage to property, and physical assault. In the case of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, sexual conduct is often central to the offense. …
Handbook of Operating Procedures: 2.4.3. Sexual Harassment Complaint, Investigation, and Grievance Procedures and Responsibilities
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies, Statement
Last updated: August 25, 2017Sexual Harassment – Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature including but not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s student status, employment, or participation in University activities; such conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it interferes with an individual’s education, employment, or participation in University activities, or creates an objectively hostile environment; or such conduct is intentionally directed towards a specific individual and has the effect of unreasonably interfering with that individual’s education, employment, or participation in University activities, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that includes:
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c. Verbal conduct not necessary to an argument for or against the substance of any political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic idea, including oral, written, or symbolic expression, including but not limited to:
i. explicit or implicit propositions to engage in sexual activity;
ii. gratuitous comments, jokes, questions, anecdotes or remarks of a sexual nature about clothing or bodies;
iii. gratuitous remarks about sexual activities or speculation about sexual experiences;
iv. persistent, unwanted sexual or romantic attention;
v. subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors;
vi. exposure to sexually suggestive visual displays such as photographs, graffiti, posters, calendars or other materials; or
vii. deliberate, repeated humiliation or intimidation based upon sex.
Manual of Policies and Procedures for Student Affairs: Sec. 6-103. Freedom of Speech, Expression, and Assembly
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression, Statement
Last updated: August 25, 2017The freedoms of speech, expression, and assembly are fundamental rights of all persons and are central to the mission of the University. Students, faculty, and staff have the right to assemble, to speak, and to attempt to attract the attention of others, and corresponding rights to hear the speech of others when they choose to listen, and to ignore the speech of others when they choose not to listen.
Manual of Policies and Procedures for Student Affairs: Sec. 6-901. General Rule on Public Assemblies
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies, Statement
Last updated: August 25, 20172. University persons and organizations may publicly assemble on campus in any place where, at the time of the assembly, the persons assembling are permitted to be. This right to assemble is subject to the rules in this subchapter, to the general rules in subchapters 6- 200 and 6-300, and to the rules on use of University property in chapter 7. No advance permission is required.
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a. Persons or organizations who are planning a public assembly with seventy-five or more participants are strongly encouraged to notify and consult with the director as soon as practicable after the point at which the planners anticipate or plan for seventy-five or more participants. Persons or organizations planning smaller assemblies are encouraged to consult the director if there is uncertainty about applicable University rules, the appropriateness of the planned location, or possible conflict with other events. The director can help identify appropriate space and potentially conflicting events. Refer to the Student Organization Handbook for additional information, policies, and procedures related to student organizations reserving space for public assemblies with seventy-five or more participants.
