School Spotlight
Wichita State University
Speech Code Rating
Policies and Procedures: 8.16 / Sexual Misconduct, Relationship Violence and Stalking Policy for Students
Speech Code Rating: Red
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: June 13, 2019Sexual Harassment Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to: … Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment occurs when... Read MoreHousing and Residence Life Handbook: Common Areas
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: June 13, 2019Residents using public areas should refrain from any behavior which might prove offensive to others, conduct themselves in an orderly manner, and respect the rights of others Read MorePolicies and Procedures: 11.10 / Poster/Flyer Policy for University Grounds and Facilities
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: June 12, 2019Posters/flyers shall …contain appropriate print and content for the University community. … Posters/flyers not posted in accordance with this policy will be removed by University employees. Read MoreHousing and Residence Life Handbook: Personalizing Your Room
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
Last updated: June 13, 2019Pictures and other materials that may be considered objectionable are not to be displayed in areas that may be visible outside a residence hall room/suite (including viewed from outside of room through window or door). Incidents will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Read MoreCut H8: Terminology
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: June 12, 2019Hostile Climate is defined as a focus on race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression of another person or group which is severe enough to affect an individual’s or a group’s campus or academic lif... Read MoreCut H8: Frequently Asked Questions
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Bias and Hate Speech
Last updated: June 12, 2019What is a bias incident or hostile climate? Any demeaning, derogatory, or otherwise offensive behavior directed toward an individual on the basis of sex, gender identity or expression, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, ability/disability, or other group or personal characteristic may qualify as a bias in... Read MorePolicies and Procedures: 8.05 / Student Code of Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility
Last updated: June 12, 2019Disruptive Behavior Behavior that the person knows or should have known will disturb, alarm, anger, or provoke others or constitutes a breach of the peace … Read MorePolicies and Procedures: 8.05 / Student Code of Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
Last updated: June 12, 2019Harassment Engaging in behavior that is severe, pervasive, or persistent to a degree that it interferes with a reasonable person’s ability to work, learn, live, participate in, or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by the University. Harassment may occur via written, electronic, verb... Read MoreProcedures, Regulations and Requirements for Section 11.12 Use of University Campus for First Amendment Activities
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
Last updated: June 13, 2019A First Amendment Activity1 (Event) should be registered with the University Event Services Office by emailing letsmeet@wichita.edu or calling (316) 978-3475 no later than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the Event by providing a Notification of Intent (Limited Public Forum) to be on University property. … Exam... Read MorePolicies and Procedures: 19.01 / Acceptable Use
Speech Code Rating: Yellow
Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
Last updated: June 12, 2019The use of the University’s computing and information technology resources to send, upload, download, post, transmit or store … profane, libelous, threatening, intimidating or other unlawful messages is specifically prohibited. Read MorePolicies and Procedures: 8.05 / Student Code of Conduct
Speech Code Rating: Green
Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
Last updated: June 12, 2019Freedom of inquiry and freedom of expression are valued as critical components in the generation and transfer of knowledge to advance the University’s mission. Read More
Wichita State University: Title IX Investigation into Fraternity House Banner Offering ‘Free House Tours’
September 12, 2017
On September 8, 2017, members of Wichita State University (WSU) fraternity Phi Delta Theta hung a banner reading “New Members Free House Tours!” outside their window during sorority recruitment on WSU’s campus. The banner was up for only five minutes before it was removed. Nevertheless, that same day, assistant vice president for student advocacy, intervention… Read more
Wichita State University: Student Government Denies Recognition to Libertarian Group Because It Defends Free Speech
April 7, 2017
In April 2017, the Wichita State University Student Government Association denied recognition to a prospective chapter of Young Americans for Liberty because of the organization’s defense of free speech, and the expression of other YAL chapters.
Wichita State University: Students Required to Register Events with Campus Police, Who Examined Materials for “Hate Speech”
November 16, 2016
Wichita State University requires students who are not part of a registered student organization to notify campus police of their intent to engage in expressive activities 72 hours in advance.
On Student Press Freedom Day, a look back at censorship in 2018
January 30, 2019
Despite what you may have heard in school, America is (by some measures) not home to the freest press in the world. Since 2013, the United States’ press freedom ranking tumbled 13 spots to 45th globally. And freedom of the press is even more attenuated for student reporters, who face additional hurdles from administrators, legislators,… Read more
VICTORY: Wichita State drops bogus Title IX investigation of fraternity for hanging a banner
September 14, 2017
The banner faced a neighboring sorority recruitment event and read “New Members Free House Tours!” Administrator: “I think we’re all a little more sensitive because of the statements Betsy DeVos made” about Title IX enforcement the previous week FIRE wrote to the university to demand it drop the investigation WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 14, 2017 — Administrators… Read more
Wichita State University must end investigation of ‘free house tours’ banner
September 12, 2017
What does it take to launch a Title IX investigation at Wichita State University? One arguably suggestive banner hung outside a window for five minutes, apparently. Today, FIRE wrote a letter to Wichita State calling upon the university to abandon a promised, and meritless, Title IX investigation into a fraternity house banner offering “house tours”… Read more
VICTORY: Wichita State student court recognizes libertarian group, reverses student government discrimination
April 14, 2017
WICHITA, Kan., April 14, 2017 — An embattled student group at Wichita State University is finally free to engage in on-campus activism as a registered student organization. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of the Wichita State University Student Government overturned the Student Government Association’s unconstitutional decision to deny recognition to Young Americans for Liberty, a libertarian… Read more
Wichita State student government refuses to recognize libertarian student group because of First Amendment advocacy
April 7, 2017
Student senators quizzed student group leader about her group’s stance on “free speech zones,” “hate speech,” and “safe spaces” Student senator: “We’ve seen very dangerous statements being said in the name of free speech” The U.S. Supreme Court has held that viewpoint-based discrimination against a student group is unconstitutional WICHITA, Kan., April 7, 2017 —… Read more
Wichita State Drops Viewpoint Discrimination in Student Fee Funding
March 6, 2012
There’s some good news out of Wichita State University (WSU), which recently had decided to enact a rule that prohibited any "non-scholarly religious" student group from receiving student fee funding. The good news is that WSU has now un-enacted that rule. The reasoning usually offered for this type of rule is that it is intended… Read more
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