RESCINDED – Fighting Words Harassment in the University Community

University Policy 503, Fighting Words Harassment, is rescinded, because based on court cases, fighting words harassment as an exception to free speech protection has been significantly curtailed if not eliminated.

University Policy 503, Fighting Words Harassment in the University Community, has been revised to eliminate some ambiguous terms. The revisions remove language that is overbroad based on free speech protections provided by the First Amendment and narrow the University’s definition of “fighting words” to be more consistent with Supreme Court jurisprudence.

University Policy 503 has been revised to add, “gender identity or expression” to the list of derogatory references and to add language notifying employees and students where to file a complaint of alleged fighting words harassment.