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Home > NACUA Virtual Seminar

National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA)

February 2009 Virtual Seminar

Campus Civility and Harassment Codes and the First Amendment

Thursday, February 26, 2009    12:00 - 2:00 p.m.     

College campuses are bastions of learning, free and open expression of ideas, and vigorous debate. Yet free expression can result in speech that is coarse, offensive, threatening or harassing to members of the campus community. Institutions often confront the dilemma of protecting the free expression rights of their students and faculty, while at the same time dealing with the injury that can result from hurtful or insensitive expression and their own legal obligation to prevent actionable harassment. Campus civility and anti-harassment codes are one means by which some institutions seek to address these legal obligations. Add the potential for involvement of outside interest groups, alumni and the media, and any incident of speech perceived as outrageous or offensive by some or all members of the campus community has the potential to explode into a major controversy for campus administrators.

This program will review the legal rules governing campus free expression and civility and anti-harassment codes, including a review of recent cases of particular note. The program will focus on legal and policy issues institutional counsel and administrators should consider when handling a free expression controversy on their campus, including:

  • The anatomy and legal framework of campus free expression controversies
  • Some case studies and lessons learned: sex, politics and religion
  • Tools for managing free expression controversies
  • A consideration of sample policies on campus free expression and civility

Please join us in discussing this important topic along with NACUA members Robert M. O'Neil, Director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression in Charlottesville, VA, and Lawrence White, of Lawrence White Consulting, Philadelphia, PA.

Seating is limited for the live seminar so please reserve your place by sending an RSVP to Denise Hall in Legal Affairs at denise_hall@ncsu.edu or 515-3071, by Monday, February 23. 

If you are unable to attend the live session on February 26 and wish to receive a copy of the handouts, promptly notify Denise Hall.  Thank you.  

Live Seminar

  • Thursday, February 26, 2009, 12-2pm (the telecate will start promptly at 12pm)
  • Location: To Be Determined
  • Lunch will not be provided, please bring a Brown Bag Lunch
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