Intolerance and bigotry are
antithetical to the values of the university and unacceptable within
the Rutgers community. One of the ways the university seeks to
effect this principle is through a policy of nondiscrimination, which
prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex,
age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital
status, or veteran status in university programs. In order to reinforce
institutional goals of nondiscrimination, tolerance, and civility, the
following policy against verbal assault, defamation, and harassment
makes clear that such behavior toward others violates acceptable
standards of conduct within the university. (This policy is not
intended to supersede the university's policy against harassment.)
Verbal assault, defamation, or harassment interferes with the mission
of the university. Each member of this community is expected to be
sufficiently tolerant of others so that all students are free to pursue
their goals in an open environment, able to participate in the free
exchange of ideas, and able to share equally in the benefits of our
educational opportunities. Beyond that, each member of the community is
encouraged to do all that she or he can to ensure that the university
is fair, humane, and responsible to all students.
A community
establishes standards in order to be able to fulfill its mission. The
policy against verbal assault, defamation, and harassment seeks to
guarantee certain minimum standards. Free speech and the open
discussion of ideas are an integral part of the university community
and are fully encouraged, but acts that restrict the rights and
opportunities of others through violence, intimidation, the destruction
of property, or verbal assault, even if communicative in nature, are
not protected speech and are to be condemned.
