School Spotlight

Youngstown State University

Location: Youngstown, Ohio
Type: Public
Tell Youngstown State University to revise its speech policies by filling out this form.

Speech Code Rating

Youngstown State 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

  • Resident Handbook: Care of Your Room

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    Items, including posters, signs etc. that may be hurtful, derogatory or obscene to a reasonable person are not allowed in public areas (suite common area doors & walls, hall walls and outside of room doors). Read More

  • Code of Conduct: Information Technology

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or abusive messages. Read More

  • Housing & Residence Life Resident Handbook: Physical or verbal abuse

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    You are expected to treat all persons with respect and dignity. You are not permitted to physically or verbally assault any resident including yourself. This includes sexual assault, harassment and/or threats. Slurs regarding a person’s racial, ethnic, or sexual orientation are considered verbal abuse. All forms of ... Read More

  • Policy 3356-2-03: Discrimination/harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Harassment Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    “Harassment.”   Conduct, or a course of conduct, that degrades or shows hostility toward an individual or group of individuals is based on sex (including pregnancy), race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, or veteran status or any other basis pr... Read More

  • 3356-4-09: Acceptable Use of University Technology Resources

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    Examples of Unacceptable Use: … Using technology resources to engage in fraud, defamatory, abusive, unethical, indecent, obscene, pornographic and/or unlawful activities is prohibited. … Any form of harassment by electronic means (e.g., email, web access, phone, paging), whether through language, content... Read More

  • Student Organization Policies

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Posting and Distribution Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    Students acting individually or on behalf of a registered student organization/group may distribute written material at designated on-campus locations after reserving those locations with the site administrator. Read More

  • Student Organization Policies: Invitation of Off-Campus Speakers

    Speech Code Rating: Yellow
    Speech Code Category: Protest and Demonstration Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    A request in writing to invite an outside speaker will be considered by the Vice President for Student Affairs only when made by a registered student organization at least ten (10) University working days in advance of the scheduled event.  This request shall include: (a) the name of the sponsoring organization; (b)... Read More

  • Code of Conduct: Bullying and Harassment

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Bullying Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    Unwelcome or unreasonable behavior that harasses or intimidates people either as individuals or as a group and is sufficiently severe or pervasive from both a subjective (the complainant’s) and an objective (reasonable person) viewpoint. Bullying and harassing behavior is often persistent and part of a pattern, but ... Read More

  • Code of Conduct: Basic Rights

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Advertised Commitments to Free Expression
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    The following enumeration of basic rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage other rights and privileges retained by students in their capacity as members of the student body or as citizens of the community at large: The right of free inquiry, expression, and/or assembly. Read More

  • Housing & Residence Life Resident Handbook: Student Networking Protocol

    Speech Code Rating: Green
    Speech Code Category: Internet Usage Policies
    Last updated: March 23, 2020

    Do not harass others or send threatening or obscene materials or messages to others. Read More
At present, FIRE has not been publicly involved in any cases at this school.

  • Youngstown State University Leads Censorship of ‘Straight Pride’ Posters

    May 22, 2015

    Last month, flyers advertising “Straight Pride Week” were posted at Youngstown State University (YSU) in Ohio, asking students to celebrate thusly: “Just … go about your day without telling everyone about how ‘different’ you are.” Reporting at the time indicated that the Student Government Association got in touch with administrators in order to receive permission… Read more