School Spotlight

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
Type: Private

Speech Code Rating

Worcester Polytechnic Institute 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

  • Acceptable Use Policy

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: September 2, 2021

    Users must not use any WPI system or service for unethical or illegal activities. Users shall respect the privacy of others, use data only as authorized by the data owner, and not use WPI technology resources to harass or attack others. Read More

  • Interim Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Policy: Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 2, 2021

    Sexual Harassment means unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when: … The conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or a student’s ability to ... Read More

  • WPI Student Code of Conduct: Expectations of Student Behavior

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Other Speech Codes
    Last updated: September 2, 2021

    WPI calls upon all students to uphold the following community standards and, in doing so, to learn and practice behaviors that are essential for intellectual, emotional, and social development as global citizens and leaders. … WPI students will (i) recognize that they are part of a larger community and therefo... Read More

  • WPI Policy on Campus Events Involving External Speakers

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: September 2, 2021

    All events on campus, including events involving external speakers, must comply with all WPI policies, rules and regulations. Such events must not interfere with University property or the orderly conduct of University affairs or the University’s obligation to protect the right to teach, study, and freely exch... Read More

  • Interim Title IX & Sexual Misconduct Policy: Title IX Sexual Misconduct

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: September 2, 2021

    Title IX Sexual Misconduct includes only the following forms of misconduct, as defined by Title IX: … Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment means unwelcome conduct determined by a reasonable person to be so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to WPI’s e... Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Can’t Say They Didn’t Warn You

    December 22, 2005

    Prospective students beware: at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, Mass., you don’t have nearly as many rights as your fellow students just down the road at Worcester State. That’s because, as a private institution, WPI is not bound by the U.S. Constitution, and WPI takes full advantage of that by stripping its students of… Read more