Correcting Common Mistakes in Campus Speech Policies
Toolkit
This handbook is designed to help university administrators identify and remedy the errors FIRE most often sees when reviewing policies that govern student and faculty speech.
Make your campus a free speech-friendly environment
FIRE’s College Policy Reform team would love to work with you to evaluate and revise your school’s free speech policies and disciplinary procedures. Explore the resources below to learn more about how FIRE can help you to foster a culture of free speech on your campus.
Connect with a College Policy Expert
Protect Free Speech on Your Campus
Resources for college administrators who want to take steps to improve free speech policies and disciplinary procedures on campus.
Speech Code Reports
FIRE’s speech code reports survey speech policies at America’s largest and most prestigious colleges and universities, providing readers with key data on individual schools and national trends.
FIRE’s Model Speech Policies
FIRE’s Model Code of Student Conduct is a guide for college and university administrators for governing student life.
Policy Reform Pamphlet
This pamphlet will walk you through what FIRE’s college Policy Reform team can do to help improve your institution’s policies.
Proposed Changes to Title IX
On June 23, 2022, the Department of Education released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would revise Title IX regulations. The revision threatens student free speech and due process rights. FIRE urges the Department of Education to revise its proposal to respect student rights, and we will consider all our options to preserve those rights — up to and including legal action.
The Chicago Statement: The Gold Standard for Committing to Free Expression
Model Speech Policy
Censorship of protected speech is becoming more frequent on today’s campuses. Speakers are de-platformed, students are silenced. And often, punishment is levied on speakers engaging in expression that is protected by the First Amendment. But what can be done to change that? The Chicago Statement is a free speech policy statement that combats these dangerous trends by reaffirming a university’s commitment to free speech and free expression on campus – whether you're teaching, researching, protesting, or learning. It is the gold standard for committing to free expression.
Due Process on College Campuses
FIRE Guide to Due Process and Campus Justice
Resource
FIRE’s Guide to Due Process and Campus Justice provides information about the appropriate and inappropriate methods by which university administrators and student judicial panels address issues of academic misdeeds and behavioral misconduct.
Due Process Reports
Policy Spotlight
FIRE analyzes disciplinary procedures at 53 top-ranked colleges and universities and rates them based on 10 fundamental elements of due process.
Learn Your Rights!
Curriculum
Knowing your civil liberties is the first step towards taking action for the causes you care about. When you Learn with FIRE, you’ll take courses on a wide range of topics, including free speech and due process, designed by our expert staff.
Additional Resources
Our Advocacy, Your Rights
Learn more about how FIRE advocates for your rights.
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