School Spotlight
Wake Forest University
Location:
Winston Salem, North Carolina
Type:
Private
Speech Code Rating
Wake Forest University has been given the speech code rating Red. A red light university has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech.
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Student Code of Conduct: Verbal Abuse and/or Harassment
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: February 19, 2018Verbal abuse is the use of obscene, profane, or derogatory language that abuses or defames another person. Harassment is any action, verbal or nonverbal, that annoys or disturbs another person or that causes another person to be reasonably apprehensive or endangers the health or safety of another person. Read MoreStudent Code of Conduct: Campus Posting
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: February 19, 2018All signs/posters/flyers displayed on campus must be in good taste, consistent with University policies, and must not contain sexist, racist, profane or derogatory remarks, or nudity. In addition, messages that contain abusive language, threats, fighting words, or obscenities will be removed. The University retains ... Read MoreStudent Code of Conduct: Misuse of Online Resources
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: February 19, 2018Although the University does not actively monitor students’ use of computing resources, any information brought to the attention of University officials about the misuse of online resources, including social networking sites, may be pursued through the University’s undergraduate judicial system. Examples of such beh... Read MoreStudent Code of Conduct: Conduct and Social Regulations and Policies – Introduction
Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
Last updated: February 19, 2018When, in the opinion of the University, the conduct of a student at any place is reprehensible or detrimental to the best interests of that student, his or her fellow students, or the University, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Read MoreStudent Code of Conduct: Bullying/Cyberbullying
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: February 19, 2018Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves: … Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group. … Bullying can take many forms. Examples include: Verbal: name-calling, teasing Social: spreading rumors, leaving people ... Read MoreGuide to Community Living: Room Displays
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: February 19, 2018Realizing that the display of certain items may be considered offensive and disrespectful to some community members, the university requires the use of discretion concerning the content of the pictures, posters, or written materials displayed in rooms and hallways. Residents possessing any materials that the univers... Read MoreTitle IX: Definitions of Sexual Misconduct
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: February 19, 2018Sexual or gender-based harassment is a form of discrimination that includes verbal, written, or physical behavior, directed at someone, or against a particular group, because of that person’s or group’s sex, gender identity, actual or perceived sexual orientation, or based on gender stereotypes, when that behavior i... Read MoreReport Bias: Frequently Asked Questions
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: February 19, 2018Wake Forest defines a bias incident as any threat or act – verbal, written, or physical – that is directed against or targeted at a member(s) of the Wake Forest community or Wake Forest property that are motivated, in whole or in part, because of a bias against race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexua... Read MoreStrategic Plan Vision and Mission Statements
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: February 19, 2018From its rich religious heritage, Wake Forest is committed to sustaining an environment where vital beliefs and faith traditions can engage secular thought in a climate of academic freedom and an unfettered search for truth. Read More
Policies are rated on their inclusion of 10 due process safeguards. Each policy may receive 2 points for fully including that safeguard, 1 point for partial inclusion, and 0 points for no meaningful inclusion. Most, but not all, institutions have separate policies for sexual misconduct and all other misconduct. See FIRE’s Spotlight on Due Process report for more information.
Grades
REPORT: North Carolina is home to some of America’s best colleges for free speech
September 24, 2018
Eight colleges in North Carolina earn FIRE’s highest rating for free speech — more than in any other state — but 17 still maintain policies that substantially restrict student expression. PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24, 2018 — A new report finds that North Carolina’s colleges and universities lead the way nationally for protecting student free speech. The… Read more
Of saltines and speech codes
March 9, 2018
Bias Response Teams were in the news last month after a 2016 incident at Wake Forest University became the subject of national attention. For administrators at Wake Forest, a student being called a “mayonnaise monster” is sufficient grounds to investigate speech and remind students of the need to be “respectful.” According to the Old Gold… Read more
Speech Code of the Month: Wake Forest University
May 5, 2014
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for May 2014: Wake Forest University. Wake Forest’s “Campus Posting” policy explicitly restricts student postings on the basis of their viewpoint. Not only does the policy ban any postings subjectively deemed “sexist,” “racist,” “derogatory,” or not in “good taste,” but it threatens violators with fines and disciplinary action. With this policy, Wake Forest places an impermissibly heavy burden on students wishing to express controversial political or social opinions on campus.
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