Watch What You Say

On these campuses, as reported by Foundation for Individual Rights in Education:

• Brown University restricted "verbal behavior" that creates "feelings of impotence, anger, or disenfranchisement," whether "intentional or unintentional."
  
• Colby College banned speech that causes "a vague sense of danger" or a loss of "self-esteem."
  
• The University of Connecticut barred "inconsiderate jokes," "stereotyping" and "inappropriately directed laughter."
  
• The University of Buffalo Law School told students their right to free speech is limited by "the responsibility to promote equality and justice."
  
• Syracuse University forbid "offensive remarks ... sexually suggestive staring ... (and) sexual, sexist, or heterosexist remarks or jokes."
  
• West Virginia University advised students and faculty to "use language that is not gender specific" and that "instead of referring to anyone's romantic partner as 'girlfriend' or 'boyfriend,' use positive generic terms such as 'friend,' 'lover,' or 'partner.'"
  
• The University of North Dakota broadly defined as harassment anything that intentionally produces "psychological discomfort, embarrassment, or ridicule."