School Spotlight

Western Colorado University

Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Type: Public
Tell Western Colorado University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Western Colorado University has been given the speech code rating Green. Green light institutions are those colleges and universities whose policies nominally protect free speech. Read more

  • Student Handbook: Computer and Data Networks- Acceptable Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 23, 2019

    Free expression of ideas is central to the academic process. Western computer system administrators will not remove any information from individual accounts, servers or electronic bulletin boards maintained in individual accounts unless it is determined that: … The information infringes on the rights of others... Read More

  • Student Handbook: Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 23, 2019

    The University defines harassment as discriminatory, unwelcome conduct that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it so undermines and detracts from a student’s educational experience or creates a hostile environment and essentially denies a student equal access to the University’s resources and op... Read More

  • Trustee Policy Manual: Policy Prohibiting Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 23, 2019

    Sexual Harassment is: Unwelcome, gender-based verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, without regard to the gender of the Complainant and Respondent; That is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that it has the effect of unreasonably interfering with, denying, or limiting someone’s ability to partici... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • FIRE’s Majeed: 2015 Already a Good Year for Speech Code Reform

    July 30, 2015

    Over at The Huffington Post today, my colleague Azhar Majeed takes an encouraging survey of the solid progress FIRE has already made in 2015 in reforming restrictive speech codes. Azhar reviews the four schools that have already earned FIRE’s best, most speech-friendly “green light” rating thus far in 2015—George Mason University, Purdue University, the University… Read more

  • Western State Colorado University Earns FIRE’s Highest Rating for Free Speech

    July 21, 2015

    GUNNISON, Colo., July 21, 2015—Western State Colorado University (Western) has eliminated its speech codes, earning the highest, “green light” rating for free speech from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). With assistance from FIRE, Western joins a prestigious group of colleges and universities that have reformed their policies on student expression to ensure… Read more