School Spotlight

University of West Alabama

Location: Livingston, Alabama
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

University of West Alabama 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

  • Student Handbook: Facilities Conduct Policies

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: October 22, 2018

    Loud or abusive language is not conducive to a positive environment and will not be tolerated. Read More

  • Student Handbook: Code of Student Conduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: October 22, 2018

    Violators of the Code of Student Conduct may be disciplined for the following: … Physical or verbal abuse, threat of violence, intimidation, profanity and physical or mental harassment. Making obscene utterances, gestures, or displays; addressing harassing language, slanderous/libelous language, or fighting wo... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Sexual Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: October 22, 2018

    Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.  Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such conduct has the effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance, creating an ... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Speaker Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: October 19, 2018

    The University has designated a Free Speech Zone, near the steps of the Student Union Building (SUB), as the area where students, student organizations, faculty, and sponsored non-University, non-campus groups or individuals may speak and distribute materials. … A student organization planning to invite a gues... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Cyberbullying and Cyber Harassment Policy Statement

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: October 22, 2018

    Cyberbullying or cyber harassment by any member of the University of West Alabama community (student, faculty, staff, etc.) toward another individual constitutes conduct that disrupts the educational environment of the University. Cyberbullying and cyber harassment are prohibited by state law (Ala. Code § 13A-11-8; ... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been involved in any cases at this school.

  • Speech Code of the Month: University of West Alabama

    January 2, 2014

    FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for January 2014: the University of West Alabama (UWA). The University of West Alabama has a new policy prohibiting “Cyberbullying and Cyber Harassment” (PDF) that subjects virtually every student and faculty member on campus to punishment. That is because the policy defines cyberbullying to include not only unlawful conduct… Read more