Many college and university administrators have responded to the recent increase in hateful incidents on campus by putting hate speech codes into place. The establishment of speech codes has sparked a heated debate over the impact that such codes have upon free speech and First Amendment values. Some commentators have suggested that viewing hate speech as a special category of expression, unworthy of traditional protection, will result in unpredictable consequences. Many administrators, however, feel that the codes are justified because of the threat that hate speech poses to the educational process and environment. Many administrators also feel that institutions of higher learning should at least be responsible for the behavior of students. Most of the arguments supporting hate speech codes focus around the notion that establishment and maintenance of a university "community" is essential. But every community--including a college or university community--must accept some degree of violation of its norms. There is also no legitimate reason to view students as inherently more vulnerable simply because they are on campus. Although codes are concerned with protecting women and minorities, the use of a regulatory response to hate speech is problematic. The possibility that open discourse might spread sexist and racist ideas should not be a cause for alarm. (Forty-seven notes are included.) (NKA)