School Spotlight

Western Oregon University

Location: Monmouth, Oregon
Type: Public
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Speech Code Rating

Western Oregon University has been given the speech code rating Yellow. Yellow light colleges and universities are those institutions with at least one ambiguous policy that too easily encourages administrative abuse and arbitrary application. Read more

  • Policy and Procedures on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence: Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct includes conduct occurring both on-campus and off-campus, if the conduct was in connection with a University or University-recognized education program or activity, or if the conduct may have the effect of creating a hostile environment for a member of the WOU community. … Sexual... Read More

  • Policy FA-04-016: Campus Posting Guidelines

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    All posting materials must be approved no later than five (5) days prior to the date of the event or activity by authorized personnel (e.g. Student Affairs, Campus Dining, University Housing). Read More

  • Code of Student Responsibility: Specific Standards and Policies- Harassment, Discrimination, Bullying or Stalking Behavior

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    Harassment, which includes but is not limited to: … b. Conduct without physical contact or physical interference with a person, including but not limited to harassing, bullying or threatening behavior, including verbal communication, which is intended to and has the effect of: A. Substantially disrupting anoth... Read More

  • Policy GL-05-002: Discrimination and Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is a form of discriminatory harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical behavior of a sexual nature when directed toward an individual because of that individual’s sex when: … Such con... Read More

  • Code of Student Responsibility: Specific Standards and Policies- Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, sexual advances, requests or suggestions to engage in sexual conduct, and other physical and expressive behavior of a sexual nature when: … Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic or professional ... Read More

  • Code of Student Responsibility: Specific Standards and Policies- Threatening or Abusive Behavior

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    Threatening or Abusive Behavior … b. Conduct which threatens imminent bodily harm or endangers the physical or emotional health of any person or oneself. c. Physical or emotional abuse of any person. Read More

  • Guide to Residential Living: Posting in the Residential Complex

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    [O]bscene, degrading, racist, sexist, and/or harassing literature will be removed from any public areas at the discretion of the Professional Staff. Read More

  • Policy and Procedures on Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence: Title IX Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    Under Title IX, Sexual Harassment is conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following: … Unwelcome Conduct. Conduct made on the basis of sex that is determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive AND objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to ... Read More

  • Policy GL-01-004: Time Place and Manner

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: March 16, 2021

    It is the policy of Western Oregon University to have guidelines for Time, Place and Manner. These are rules for speech activities on campus. PUBLIC AREAS Hours: Speech activities are permitted on university grounds and in university buildings during regular business hours except: 1 Classroom buildings 2 Research an... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • College Media Advisers Censures Western Oregon University

    January 20, 2009

    Inside Higher Ed is reporting today that College Media Advisers (CMA), a group dedicated to promoting student journalism, sent an official letter of censure to Western Oregon University President Dr. John Minahan. According to the CMA’s letter: The university chose not to rehire Ms. [Susan] Wickstrom [the student paper’s adviser] after student staff of the… Read more