Red Light Policies

• Non-Discrimination Policy

  Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  The University defines harassment as verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual because of his/her sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status, and that:

  • has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment;
  • has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work, study, or participation in University activities; or
  • otherwise adversely affects an individual’s opportunities.

  Harassing conduct includes:

  • epithets; slurs; negative stereotyping; or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts that relate to sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status;
  • written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status and that is displayed on walls, bulletin boards, or other public locations.

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• Sexual Misconduct & Gender Non-Discrimination Policy

  Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  Gender harassment – subjecting a person to adverse treatment based on held gender stereotypes. Adverse treatment can include verbal, nonverbal, or physical aggression, intimidation, or hostility based on gender or held gender stereotypes, even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature.

  […]

  Sexual harassment

  1. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when: …  such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual’s work or educational performance; or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one’s ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program or activity.

  Examples of Sexual Harassment

  1. Examples of behavior and conduct that constitute sexual harassment may include, but are not limited to, the following:
     • physical assault;
     • direct or implied threats that submission to sexual advances will be a condition of employment, work status, compensation, promotion, grades, or letters of recommendation;
     • sexual advances, physical or implied, or direct propositions of a sexual nature. This activity may include inappropriate/unnecessary touching or rubbing against another, sexually suggestive or degrading jokes or comments, remarks of a sexual nature about one’s clothing and/or body, preferential treatment in exchange for sexual activity, and the inappropriate display of sexually explicit pictures, text, printed materials, or objects that do not serve an academic purpose;
     • a pattern of conduct, which can be subtle in nature, that has sexual overtones and is intended to create, or has the effect of creating, discomfort and/or humiliation of another; or remarks speculating about a person’s sexual activities or sexual history, or remarks about one’s own sexual activities or sexual history, that do not serve a medical or academic purpose.

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• Policy on Use of the Free Speech Area

  Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  To promote the free exchange of ideas, Western Illinois University permits students, faculty, employees, and the general public to engage in open public speech in the “free speech area” on the campus, subject to the time, place, and manner restrictions set forth in this policy.

  I. Time and Place Restrictions

  A. This policy applies only to the open area traditionally known as the “free speech area” directly to the north of the University Union and southwest of the Ticket Booth at Hanson Field.

  B. Use of the above defined “free speech area” is limited to daylight hours during the University’s normal operating schedule.

  II. Conduct and Manner Restrictions

  A. Those who schedule the “free speech area” on the campus must not:

  1. attempt by repeated demands, threats, or otherwise, to coerce passers by into stopping and participating in debate or discussion;
  2. interfere with, impede, or cause blockage of the flow of traffic;
  3. commit any act likely to create an imminent safety or health hazard;
  4. accompany the presentation with loud or raucous sounds likely to disturb others solely by reason of their decibel level;
  5. interfere with or disrupt any other lawful activity by anyone in the same general location at the same time;
  6. post materials on any walls, windows, doors, sidewalks, trees, light poles, etc., or on any other University equipment;
  7. utilize a sound or PA system or be accompanied by any voice amplifying or noise creating device unless prior approval has been given.

  B. Public speech that is likely to incite or produce imminent lawless action or that is, under current legal standards, either libelous or obscene, is prohibited.

  C. The “free speech area” must be reserved at least five (5) days in advance and use by any one individual or organization shall be limited to no more than three (3) days in a thirty (30) day period of time.

  D. Any exceptions to this policy must be cleared through the Director of the University Union.

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• Residence Hall Handbook: Decorating your Room

  Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  While you may decorate the inside of your room to suit your tastes, the outside of your door and window are considered available to public view. The University will not allow the posting of items which are deemed to be racist, sexist, indecent, scandalous, illegal, inciting, or in any way oppressive in nature. These items may be removed, and disciplinary action may be taken.

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• Code of Student Conduct

  Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  Any student found to have committed or to have attempted to commit the following misconduct is subject to the disciplinary sanctions, including separation from the University or a lesser sanction authorized by the Code. … [A]cts of physical or verbal abuse.

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• Faculty Policies: Just and Equal Treatment

  Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  The faculty of Western Illinois University has a responsibility in all professional activities–teaching and other primary duties, research and other creative activities, and service–to act in a manner which supports the principle of just and equal treatment for all people regardless of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status. This responsibility shall include, but not be limited to, the use of inclusive oral and written language. “Inclusive Language” is defined as language that is neutral with respect to sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

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• Distribution of Printed Materials and Collection of Signatures Policy

  Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  Distribution of printed materials or solicitation of signatures on sidewalks within the campus is limited to the daylight hours and is restricted to the following areas:

  1. The walkways and open area traditionally known as the “free speech area” directly to the north of the University Union.
  2. The south campus area adjacent to the University Union and covering the open spaces between Seal, Sallee, Browne, and Memorial Halls.

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• Code of Student Conduct: Introduction

  Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
  Last updated: August 24, 2016

  As citizens of the larger community in which the University is located, students retain the rights and responsibilities common to all citizens; affiliation with the University does not diminish the rights or responsibilities held by a student or any other community member as a citizen of the State, the nation, or the world.

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