Student publications must "conform to the norms of good taste" under an equal opportunities policy announced by University College Dublin yesterday.
The policy, which will be overseen by a college equality committee, sets out the responsibilities of students and staff to one another, as well as the responsibilities of the college to its employees and students.
Among the requirements is that posters and publications not contain "intimidatory or offensive" words or images.
Ms Carol Fahey, president of the UCD students' union, said the policy was "very much in tandem with the disciplinary measures already enforced against societies."
Complaints by students about offensive posters and publications - particularly against material seen as depicting women in a degrading manner - have increased in recent years. Disciplinary action has included the withdrawal of funding to offending clubs and societies.
"Over the past two years the line has been drawn fairly clearly as to what is acceptable and what is not," said Ms Fahey. The union was consulted by university management before the publication of the policy.
The policy incorporates recent legislation ranging from the Universities Act, 1997, and the Employment Equality Act, 1998, to the Equal Status Act, 1999, and the Parental Leave Act, 1999.
It outlaws discrimination on grounds of gender, marital status, age, disability, race, colour, religious belief, ethnic origin or sexual orientation.
The university, it says, "will continue to implement positive action programmes, to remove barriers to equality and promote concepts of diversity and equality of opportunity in all of its activities."
