School Spotlight
Westfield State University
Speech Code Rating
Massachusetts State Universities Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: August 27, 2020Discriminatory harassment. A form of unlawful discrimination including verbal and/or physical conduct based on legally protected characteristics and/or membership in a protected class that: 1. has the purpose or effect of creating an objectively intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment; 2. ... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Conduct Regulations and Procedures
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: August 27, 2020The following regulations demonstrate conduct that is prohibited and will subject students to disciplinary action. … 6. Physical abuse, verbal abuse, intimidation or threats to any member of the university community, visitor, or guest. 7. Harassing, intimidating, or bullying any member of the University commun... Read MorePolicy 0380: Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: August 27, 2020The University prohibits the use of its information technology resources for the following purposes: … for any political purpose; … to access or share sexually explicit, obscene, or otherwise inappropriate materials; … Read MorePolicy 3020: Demonstration/Picketing
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: August 27, 2020Faculty, staff and/or students must notify the Vice President, Student Affairs 48 hours in advance of any demonstration and or picketing activity. Read MorePolicy 1340: University Anti-Bullying, Mobbing, and Harassment Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
Last updated: August 27, 2020Bullying consists of abusive conduct relative to acts, omissions, or both, that a reasonable person would find hostile, based on the severity, nature, and frequency of the conduct and without regard to the method of delivery, such as verbal, written or electronic. Abusive conduct may include, but is not limited to: ... Read MoreBias Incident Response Team
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: August 27, 2020A bias incident is described as any behavior or act—verbal, written or physical—which is personally directed against or targeted toward an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, natio... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Life and Related Policies- Residence Hall Policy, Posting Policy
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: August 27, 2020Individuals and groups wishing to advertise events or services that may be of interest to on-campus residents should contact the Office of Residential Life for permission. The Executive Director of Residential Services and Campus Life (or designee) reserves the right to refuse permission to advertise for those event... Read MoreStudent Handbook: Student Conduct Regulations and Procedures
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: August 27, 2020Westfield State University recognizes that the student, as an adult member of society and a citizen of the United States of America, is entitled to respect and consideration and has the right to the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of speech, assembly and association. Read MorePolicy 1010: Academic Freedom and Responsibility
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: August 27, 2020The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research. Read More
Speech Code of the Month: Westfield State College
February 3, 2010
FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for February 2010: Westfield State College in Massachusetts. Westfield’s Student Handbook prohibits “discrimination,” which it defines to include “making disparaging remarks that insult or stigmatize a student’s cultural background or race” as well as “making insensitive remarks that reflect a student’s disability.” Westfield State College is a public… Read more