School Spotlight

University of Vermont

Location: Burlington, Vermont
Type: Public
Tell University of Vermont to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

University of Vermont 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
    Speech Code Memorandum for the University of Vermont

  • Policy V. 5.24.3: Solicitation

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: December 9, 2019

    Prior registration is generally not required for casual forms of non-commercial solicitation, such as leafleting, that do not involve the dedicated or exclusive use of University buildings, grounds, or facilities, provided that access to, or the use of buildings, grounds or facilities may be subject to restrictions ... Read More

  • Policy V.2.3.6: Alcohol, Cannabis and Other Drug Use – Students

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: December 9, 2019

    The sponsoring organization is responsible for any publicity, advertising, marketing, or promotion that is disseminated in conjunction with the event and must ensure adherence to the following guidelines: … Advertisements should be consistent with University policy discouraging the demeaning sexual or discrimi... Read More

  • Bias, Discrimination, & Harassment Incident Reporting Form

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
    Last updated: December 9, 2019

    Bias incidents are those where speech or expressive conduct is directed toward an individual or group that is based on or motivated by the individual or group’s real or perceived race, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, disability, or gender identity and/or expression. B... Read More

  • Policy V.2.8.8: Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities- Student Rights

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: December 9, 2019

    [T]he University of Vermont considers freedom of inquiry and discussion essential to a student’s educational development. Thus, the University recognizes the right of all students to engage in discussion, to exchange thought and opinion, and to speak, write, or publish freely on any subject, in accordance with... Read More

  • Policy V.1.1.2: Campus Demonstrations

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: December 9, 2019

    Fundamental to our entire philosophy is our firm belief that rights guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, including rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association must be protected on the campus as elsewhere, and that local, state, and ... Read More

  • Policy V.7.11.2: Sexual Harassment & Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: December 9, 2019

    Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other unwanted verbal, written, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when the following conditions are present: … Such conduct creates a hostile environment. A “hostile environment” exists when the conduct is sufficientl... Read More

  • Policy V.7.12.2: Discrimination and Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: December 9, 2019

    Harassment: A form of discrimination (defined above) that encompasses an incident or incidents of verbal, written, visual, or physical communications and/or conduct based on or motivated by an individual’s membership in a legally protected category that is sufficiently severe, pervasive, persistent or patently offen... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Speech Code of the Month: University of Vermont

    September 21, 2016

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for September 2016: the University of Vermont (UVM). Like many universities, UVM has a Bias Response Program in place so that students can report incidents of biased behavior—including speech—to the university administration. UVM uses a very broad definition of bias: Bias* is a personal inclination or temperament… Read more

  • Student Papers at U of Alabama, U of Vermont Demonstrate the Value of a Free Press

    February 27, 2014

    In case Torch readers wanted more examples of the value of a free student press on college and university campuses, recent columns in student newspapers at the University of Alabama (UA) and the University of Vermont (UVM) fit the bill.

  • Harvey Silverglate on Campus Isolation: ‘Tear Down this Wall’

    September 13, 2007

    FIRE co-founder and board chairman, Harvey Silverglate has written a truly insightful post on The Phoenix’s “Free for All” blog about the University of Vermont’s new mega-student center/administrative headquarters/hive complex in Burlington and what it says about the problems of modern campus culture: The tendency of colleges—in Burlington, Cambridge, and just about everywhere else—to turn… Read more

  • ‘Free Speech…With Permission Only’

    April 18, 2005

    Check out this excellent article by Ron Jacobs of the University of Vermont (UVM) in CounterPunch’s weekend edition about free speech on campuses including UC Berkeley, Harvard University, Emerson College, and UVM. Here’s an excerpt: There is currently a regulation on the books here at UVM (where I work) that demands that any group—whether student… Read more