Related Policies and Guidelines

TBR Policy 1.03.02.60 Freedom of Speech and Expression

TBR Policy 3.02.04.00 Student Rights and Freedoms

NeSCC Policy 03:05:01 Student Rights and Freedoms

NeSCC Policy 03:05:10 Student Complaints and Compliments

Northeast State Community College is committed to preserving students’ fundamental constitutional right to free speech in accordance with Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Policy 1.03.02.60 Freedom of Speech and Expression and with TCA § 49-7-2401 The Campus Free Speech Protection Act (2018).

Northeast State protects the lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation while providing students the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn, and discuss any issue, subject to constitutional time, place, and manner restrictions or other measures that do not violate the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or Article I, Section 19 of the Tennessee Constitution.

General Principles

Please refer to TBR Policy 1.03.02.60 Freedom of Speech and Expression

Publication of Policy

Please refer to TBR Policy 1.03.02.60 Freedom of Speech and Expression

The following offices are responsible for ensuring the policy is published and annually reviewed for the constituent groups listed below:

1. Employees: Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Sponsored Programs
2. Faculty: Vice President for Academic Affairs
3. Students: Vice President for Institutional Excellence and Student Success

Student-on-Student Harassment

Within this framework, the College recognizes the individual’s right to freedom from the obstruction or interference with the expression of views that others may reject. This aligns with the following definition of student-on-student harassment found in TCA § 49-7-2406, which provides the context for any related harassment complaints in such matters:

Student-on-student harassment means unwelcome conduct directed toward a person that is discriminatory on a basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law and that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively bars the victim's access to an educational opportunity or benefit.

Anyone with Title IX, civil rights, discrimination, or harassment concerns or complaints, should visit the Policy and Compliance website or contact the Assistant Director of Policy and Compliance via email: compliance@northeaststate.edu.

Responsible areas: Academic Affairs; Administration and Grant Development; and Institutional Excellence and Student Success