can a university punish "derogatory or hateful" speech on campus or would this be unconstitutional?

Answer 1

A public university does not have the right to limit anybody's speech, especially when it comes to subjective calls on whether speech is hateful or derogatory.

First of all, a university is supposed to be a place of open debate, which requires a tolerance of all views, regardless of whether they are considered "hateful" or "derogatory". Students at a university are expected to act like adults, and not be babies that need protections from their mommies.

If a university student can't handle adversity, perhaps they need to be in a nursery, instead.

Learning can only occur where free speech rules, not where it is limited by some "offended" party.

Answer 2

It depends on the college and their conduct policies. Far too many coleges today are Liberalized. They forbid open discussion that is negative about Homosexuality, abortions etc, as so called hate speech. Yet they allow people to criticize the war and the president to the point of open slander. People have a right under the constitution to express their opinion. There are boundries to protect people from real harm. For example, you cannot scream fire in a crowded theathre, that causes a panic which would needlessly endanger other people. Having a negative view of something like Homosexuality IS a right and should not be abridged in any way because it doesn't fit with a groups agenda. So to answer your question, it all boils down to what THEY percieve as derogatory or hateful speech. Unfortunately, far too many times THEIR interpretation is unconstitutional. But thats OK because it fits the Liberal agenda.

Answer 3

Freedom of Speech does not allow you to be hateful or derogatory, that is against the law. You can say you disagree with something and be upset, but you can not say I hate this person because they are a ******* and stuff like that, that is against their rights to live peacefully in this country. Universities can have a policy that states that if you are racist, or hateful to a certain point you can get in trouble. I know my old college had that, and if you were caught saying really bad things then you got in trouble.

Answer 4

You can always push a Freedom of speech issue if the University takes government money.

Answer 5

I wish they would punish hateful speech. Alot of those professors would lose their jobs. It's sickening that they bash the USA and stay employed.

Answer 6

they can take action against the individual, but they can not stop someone from saying what they want.