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University of Delaware

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 here.

Public or Private:		Public
Federal Circuit:		Third Circuit
Head of Institution:		President Dr. Patrick T Harker University of Delaware Office of the President 104A Hullihen Hall Newark, DE 19717 302-831-2111 president@udel.edu
Website:		http://www.udel.edu
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Do you have any information, updates, or changes regarding the policies at this institution? Let us know!

On this page, FIRE has excerpted policies that address speech and expression. You may download the full policy in .pdf form, below.

Restrictions on Expressive Rights

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Green light: Student Guide to University Policies: Code of Conduct- Sexual Harassment 12-13

The following is a non-exhaustive list of actions that may constitute sexual harassment:
A demand for sexual favors accompanied by implied threats about the person's employment or academic status, or implied promises of preferential treatment;
Persistent, unwelcome flirtation, requests for dates, advances or propositions of a sexual nature;
Unwanted touching such as patting, pinching, hugging or repeated brushing against an individual's body;
Repeated degrading or insulting comments that demean an individual's sexuality or sex;
Unwarranted displays of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; or
Sexual assault.

Sexual harassment includes unwelcomed sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a physical nature when: ... such conduct has the purpose or effect of unlawfully interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or unlawfully creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.

View full policy (PDF, 740 KB).

Green light: Student Guide to University Policies: Code of Conduct- Other Discriminatory Harassment 12-13

Other discriminatory harassment includes any verbal or physical conduct toward another that is based on the other's race, color, national origin, disability, religion, age, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law, and that: a. unreasonably creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning and/or working environment; or
unreasonably interferes with an individual's work or academic performance.

View full policy (PDF, 740 KB).

Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)

Yellow light: Student Guide to University Policies: Code of Conduct- Disruptive Conduct 12-13

Specific violations of this standard include, but are not limited to: ... Making, exhibiting, or producing any inappropriate, loud, or disruptive noise or behavior

View full policy (PDF, 740 KB).

Free Speech Zones

Yellow light: Student Centers Policies: Use of Campus Buildings and Grounds by Students and On Campus Groups 12-13

Use of public areas by student organizations is limited to spaces that are typically used by students for gathering, including the athletic fields, the Green, Old College Lawn, Academy Building Lawn, Harrington Beach, Laird Turf, Dining Hall lobbies and the Student Centers patios.

Recognized student organizations seeking to hold events on the grounds or public areas of buildings must submit an Outside Facilities Use Request with approval of the Director of the University Student Centers or his or her designee.

View full policy (PDF, 2000 KB).

Other Speech Codes

Yellow light: Student Centers Policies: Campus Speakers 12-13

The costs of all necessary arrangements must be absorbed by the host organization. (The host group is responsible for ensuring the safety of the speaker as well as those who listen, and the expense for such arrangements must be borne by the host group.)

View full policy (PDF, 2000 KB).

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Green light policy: Student Centers Policies: Distribution of Published Materials on Campus 12-13

Freedom of expression is absolutely essential to the life of the University.

Members of the University community (all classifications of students, faculty, staff, and registered student organizations) may distribute published materials on campus with the understanding that doing so must be done in compliance with all applicable laws and University Codes of Conduct.

View full policy (PDF, 2000 KB).

NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to view policies in PDF format.

The speech codes and policies above were last fully checked via internet and other research means by FIRE in February 2013. According to FIRE’s research the substantive policies are current at least until this date. Directory information, including the name of the president of the college or university, may have been updated more recently. If any policy has been revised, or if you believe that we are in error, please contact us.

University of Delaware

Restrictions on Expressive Rights

Harassment Policies (Learn More)

Policies on Tolerance, Respect, and Civility (Learn More)

Free Speech Zones

Other Speech Codes

Advertised Commitments to Free Expression

Speech Codes

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