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Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

FIRE Update

by Newsletter

Table of Contents
January 31, 2008

1. University of Alabama in Huntsville Dismisses Charges against Students for Criticizing University
2. Winston-Salem State University to Revise Free Speech Zone Policy
3. Speech Code of the Month: Texas Southern University
4. Recent Media Coverage
5. Recent Posts to The Torch

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE DISMISSES CHARGES AGAINST STUDENTS FOR CRITICIZING UNIVERSITY

Following pressure from FIRE, The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) dismissed charges against two students for their work in passing a Student Government Association (SGA) resolution critical of UAH's computer network and services. The SGA unanimously adopted the resolution, which proclaimed that "the overall state of the University campus network is deplorable for a university of our size and stature" and that "the voice of the student body respecting this issue has been principally disregarded for the last several years." FIRE called on UAH President David B. Williams to immediately stop the investigation of the students for engaging in constitutionally protected actions.

WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY TO REVISE FREE SPEECH ZONE POLICY

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) announced to the press that it will be revising its controversial new free speech zone policy, which limits free speech to just one 'Breezeway' on the university's campus. The university's announcement came on Friday, January 4—the same day that FIRE sent the university a letter criticizing the policy. WSSU Chancellor Donald Julian Reaves told the Winston-Salem Journal that the policy was not intended to limit free speech and that "[w]e intend on revising the policy...and making the campus as open as possible." FIRE will be watching closely to ensure that the revised policy grants WSSU students the free speech rights to which they are legally and morally entitled.

SPEECH CODE OF THE MONTH: TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for January 2008: Texas Southern University. Texas Southern's Student Code of Conduct prohibits "knowingly or recklessly causing or attempting to cause by acts and/or threats, emotional, mental, physical or verbal harm to another person (which includes but is not limited to faculty, staff, students, visitors, etc.). This includes intimidation, emotional force, embarrassing, degrading or damaging information, assumptions, implications, remarks, or fear for one's safety." This public university's policy piles vague proscription on top of vague proscription, making it difficult if not impossible for students to know what is actually prohibited—and thus, allowing the university to punish students for virtually any expression that someone else finds hurtful. This vague policy gives the university unfettered discretion to punish Texas Southern students for constitutionally protected speech, and as such it is both wholly unconstitutional and morally reprehensible. For this reason, it is our January 2008 Speech Code of the Month.

RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 31, "Community college drops charges against student," by Kavita Kumar

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The Justice, January 29, "FIRE publishes report on Hindley," by Noah Bein

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The Chronicle of Higher Education, January 29, "College in Missouri lifts disciplinary charges against defecting student," by Sara Lipka

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Family Security Matters, January 28, "The strange case of 'Obsession' at the University of Florida," by Luke Sheahan

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The Bulletin, January 28, "Ethnic sensitivities threaten academic freedom," by Joe Murray

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Boston Herald, January 27, "Shhh! Free speech crackdown on campus," by Margery Eagan

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The Brandeis Hoot, January 25, "Civil liberties group defends Hindley," by David Pepose

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Boston Herald, January 25, "Prof fights reprimand for 'wetback' reference," by Marie Szaniszlo

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The Daily News Tribune, January 25, "Slang term use lands professor in hot seat," by Eric Athas

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Newsmax.com, January 24, "Professor takes heat over wetbacks stance"

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More media coverage at thefire.org »

RECENT POSTS TO THE TORCH

January 31, "University of Alabama in Huntsville Dismisses Charges against Students for Criticizing University," Emily Guidry

January 30, "After Brandeis Response, Professor Volokh Asks Tough Questions," William Creeley

January 30, "FIRE in the Brandeis Student Press," Azhar Majeed

January 30, "Student Newspaper Loses Its Funding After Criticizing Student Government," Kelly Sarabyn

January 29, "Victory at STLCC," Emily Guidry

Read The Torch at thefire.org »

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