School Spotlight
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh
Speech Code Rating
This school has adopted the chicago statement for free speech.
Gen 1.2: Shared Principles to Guide Interactions Among Members of the University
Speech Code Rating: Red
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 22, 2021All members of the University have a responsibility to promote and a right to expect: … e. an environment that is free of harassment and free of insulting and demeaning comments and epithets based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, socioeconomic status, ... Read MoreChapter UWS 18: Conduct on University Lands
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: September 22, 2021No person may, with intent to harass, annoy or offend another person, send a message to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication system and in that message use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act. Read MoreSafety and Emergency Information: Bias Motivated Incident and Crime Reporting
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: September 22, 2021A bias incident is any act, including conduct, speech, or expression, in which a biased motive (race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, pregnancy, marital or parental status, veteran or military status or any other category pro... Read MoreCommunity Rights and Responsibilities Handbook: Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 22, 2021Harassment can be based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes as required by law is verbal or physical conduct or conduct using technology... Read MoreRegent Policy Document 14-6: Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 22, 2021Discriminatory Harassment is a form of discrimination consisting of unwelcome verbal, written, graphic or physical conduct that: 1. is directed at an individual or group of individuals on the basis of the individual or group of individuals’ actual or perceived protected status, or affiliation or association with per... Read MoreRegent Policy Document 14-2: Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 22, 2021Hostile environment sexual harassment. … 2. Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature directed towards an individual that, when using the legal “reasonable person” standard, is so severe or pervasive and objectively offensive that it has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or w... Read MoreRegent Policy Document 14-2: Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: September 22, 2021Hostile environment sexual harassment. 1. Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature directed towards a student, an employee, or a person participating in a program or activity of the university that, when using the legal “reasonable person” standard, is so severe, pervasive, and objectionably offensive that it effectivel... Read MoreCommunity Rights and Responsibilities Handbook: Inclusivity and Diversity
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: September 22, 2021Definition of bias and hate: Single or multiple acts toward an individual, group, or their property that are so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that they create an unreasonably intimidating, hostile, or offensive work, learning, or program environment, and that one could reasonably conclude are based up... Read More
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh: Journalists Required to Seek Permission from, Submit Questions to Marketing Department to Interview University Employees
March 9, 2022
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s media relations practices require student journalists to seek permission from the institution to interview university employees and, if permitted, submit interview questions to the university’s marketing department. FIRE wrote to UWO March 9, explaining this requirement is an unconstitutional prior restraint and constitutes prior review in violation of faculty First… Read more
University of Wisconsin: Students’ Due Process Rights
March 13, 2009
FIRE successfully persuaded the University of Wisconsin’s Board of Regents to affirm due process rights for students, including the option of a hearing before a committee including student peers, attorney representation in the case of serious allegations, and both e-mail and paper notification of proceedings. The Board had proposed changes to the State Administrative Code… Read more
After FIRE letter, UW Oshkosh changes employee media policy to allow student journalists access to staff sources
April 20, 2022
In March, FIRE reported that the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh was subjecting student journalists from The Advance-Titan to a convoluted process of contacting University Marketing and Communications in order to interview any campus staffer. After we raised concerns to UWO about the First Amendment implications of this practice, we’re happy to share that student reporters are… Read more
Muzzling the campus watchdog: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh imposes invasive practices on reporters interviewing university employees
March 9, 2022
On university campuses, the press — particularly the student press — serves an important role as a check on institutional power. Journalists at universities are essential to keeping the public informed on campus activities, whether through reporting on mundane affairs or acts of impropriety. Administrators at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh have impeded this function,… Read more
May 2021 Speech Code of the Month: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
May 4, 2021
It’s not rare for colleges to contradict themselves on free speech, making sweeping declarations of free speech rights to their students while simultaneously maintaining policies that infringe on those rights. It is rare for a school to make this contradiction in a single sentence, but the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh does just that, making it… Read more
University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh withdraws from attempt to impose prior restraint on its former student journalist
October 29, 2018
On Friday, the Wisconsin Department of Justice withdrew its application to the state trial court asking it to enjoin a journalist from disclosing information contained in public records accidentally disclosed to him by the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, while he was a student journalist. As we explained last week, this case arises out of a… Read more
Wisconsin DOJ asks court for prior restraint following then-student journalist’s public records request
October 23, 2018
In March 2017, Alex Nemec was a student journalist writing for the Advance-Titan, a student newspaper at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. He reported that a professor had suddenly been removed from class and was under investigation. Now, after the university accidentally released records to Nemec in response to a public records request, the university… Read more
Student Newspaper at University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Condemns Misconduct Policy Revisions
October 10, 2008
The Advance-Titan, the student newspaper at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, has joined the fray condemning the student misconduct policy revisions proposed by the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board of Regents. The editorial reports and agrees with the concerns of the Oshkosh Student Association (OSA) that largely reiterate the objections to the policy’s lack of… Read more