Pennsylvania House of Representatives Select Committee on Student Academic Freedom

September 19, 2005

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives brought together a committee to examine allegations that Pennsylvania’s public universities were plagued by liberal ideology and indoctrination. David A. French, at the time president of FIRE, served as a legal adviser to the panel. FIRE released FIRE Report on the First Amendment Responsibilities of Pennsylvania State-Funded Colleges and Universities, explaining that Pennsylvania universities are bound to follow the strictures of the U.S. and Pennsylvania Constitutions, notably to respect the expressive rights of students and faculty members, to protect religious liberty on campus, and to protect freedom of conscience on campus.

West Chester University Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources and Systems

Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: December 11, 2017

The following rules must be observed: Never send or forward unsolicited e-mail, including chain mail … Never send harassing, annoying, threatening, defamatory, offensive, or fraudulent messages or images to others.

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Office of Social Equity: Sexual Misconduct Policy

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: December 8, 2017

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other harassing conduct of a sexual nature whether intentional or not. The unwanted conduct can be verbal, non-verbal, graphic, gestures, or physical. Sexual harassment occurs when the conditions for (1) and/or (2), below, are present:

Gender Based Harassment includes harassment based on gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity which may include acts of intimidation, aggression, or hostility, whether verbal, non-verbal, graphic, physical or otherwise, even if the acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature, when the conductions for (1) and/or (2), below, are present:

[…]

(2) HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT: ● The unwelcome conduct of is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive as to substantially limit or interfere with an individual’s work, educational performance, participation in extra-curricular activities, or equal access to the University’s resources and opportunities; or ● Such contact, act or acts that creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive living, working, or educational environment.

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Office of Social Equity: Campus Climate Intervention Team

Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: December 8, 2017

The Campus Climate Intervention Team (CCIT) was established in the fall of 1991 to foster an institution-wide climate free from acts of intolerance and to establish protocol for responding to and monitoring acts of intolerance should they occur.

Acts of intolerance are behaviors that are threatening, intimidating, or offensive and are motivated by bias toward a person or group of people based on their gender, race, color, religion, national origin, and/or sexual orientation. Unfortunately, we do have some reported incidents each year. It’s also likely that a few more are not reported. While we don’t have many, we are determined to eliminate every act of intolerance that we can. To do that, we need the help of every person on this campus, including students, faculty, and staff.

The University provides support, including counseling, if necessary, and help in coping with any problems that result. Members of the CCIT can also eliminate the red tape that often frustrates victims.

Alleged perpetrators involved in the act of intolerance or intimidation may be adjudicated according to the University’s Student Code of Conduct and may be subject to disciplinary action, if found guilty of violating the Code of Conduct, ranging from a disciplinary reprimand to suspension and expulsion from the University.

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Guide to Residential Living: Residence Hall Advertising Policy

Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: December 8, 2017

All fliers or posters to be hung in residential buildings (halls or apartments) must be approved and stamped in the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services, 202 Lawrence Center and should be presented for approval 48 hours before the advertising campaign begins (not 48 hours before the event begins).

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Posters will not be posted if they promote or display drugs or alcohol (beer, wine, mixed drinks and alcohol-related paraphernalia), are sexist or discriminatory, or violate the University’s Student Code of Conduct.

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Office of Social Equity: What is Sexual Misconduct?

Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: December 8, 2017

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other harassing conduct of a sexual nature whether intentional or not. Sexual harassment occurs when: …

• The unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive as to substantially limit or interfere an individual’s work, educational performance, participation in extra-curricular activities, or equal access to the University resources and opportunities; or
• Such contact creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive living, working or educational environment.

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Ram’s Eye View Student Handbook: Noncommercial Literature Distribution/Nonsponsored Presentations or Demonstrations

Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: December 8, 2017

On University property (outside of buildings) generally open to the public, persons may exercise their constitutionally protected rights the free expression including distribution of noncommercial literature incidental to the exercise of these rights and nonsponsored presentations or demonstrations … Noncommercial literature distribution and nonsponsored presentations or demonstrations may be held anywhere on university property (outside of buildings) generally open to the public so long as they do not disrupt the normal operation of the University or infringe on the rights of other members of the University community.

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Drexel, West Chester weak on free-speech protection

December 20, 2007

A report issued by a Philadelphia-based civil liberties organization shows 75 percent of U.S. colleges and universities have policies restricting the free speech rights of students on campus. The report, which was published by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), surveyed 346 institutions of higher education. “With increased resources and enhanced research techniques, FIRE was able to unearth even more of these unlawful and pervasive policies than those included in last year’s report,” FIRE President Greg Lukianoff said. Last year FIRE conducted it first nationwide investigation into speech codes, surveying 360 universities, and found 68 percent restricted speech […]

Big mandate on campus

September 17, 2002

FIRE Q&A at West Chester University Wednesday

February 28, 2012

Tomorrow, February 29, FIRE’s own Peter Bonilla, Assistant Director of the Individual Rights Defense Program, will be visiting West Chester University for an event sponsored by the WCU Students For Liberty. The club is hosting a screening of the film Indoctrinate U, followed by a Q&A session featuring Peter and WCU Professor Chris Stangl: WCU Students For Liberty Presents: Indoctrinate UWednesday, February 29, 6 p.m.Swope Music Building-Gates Family Recital Hallhttp://www.facebook.com/events/346680992020359/ For supporters in or around West Chester, Pennsylvania, this is a great opportunity for a double dose of FIRE: President Greg Lukianoff is featured in the film, and Peter will […]

‘The Bulletin’ on Speech Code Report

December 21, 2007

Philadelphia newspaper The Bulletin has an article about FIRE’s 2007 speech codes report, Spotlight on Speech Codes 2007: The State of Free Speech on our Nation’s Campuses. The article focuses on Philadelphia-area schools in particular, noting that both Drexel University and West Chester University get poor, “red light” ratings for suppressing student speech. Drexel, Torch readers may remember, has a particularly egregious speech code, banning both “inconsiderate jokes” and “inappropriately directed laughter” (whatever that means). Thanks to The Bulletin for helping bring these ridiculous policies to the public’s attention.