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Foundation for Individual Rights in Education

FIRE Update

by Newsletter

Table of Contents
April 2, 2008

1. FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for April 2008: Murray State University in Kentucky
2. Colorado College Punishes, Deems Students "Violent" for Satirical Flyer
3. New York Office Officially Open for Business
4. FIRE on CBS Evening News
5. Recent Media Coverage
5. Recent Posts to The Torch
6. Recent Multimedia Content

FIRE ANNOUNCES ITS SPEECH CODE OF THE MONTH FOR APRIL 2008: MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY IN KENTUCKY

FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for April 2008: Murray State University in Kentucky. The Women's Center at Murray State maintains a guide to sexual harassment that provides students with numerous examples of sexual harassment, including, among others, "telling sexual jokes or stories"; "looking a person up and down (elevator eyes)"; and "displaying sexual and/or derogatory comments about men/women on coffee mugs...." Unless these behaviors rise to the level of severity and pervasiveness necessary to constitute actual harassment, however, they are constitutionally protected expression, which Murray State—as a public university—is obligated to protect.

COLORADO COLLEGE PUNISHES, DEEMS STUDENTS "VIOLENT" FOR SATIRICAL FLYER

Two students at Colorado College were found guilty of violating the school's conduct code regarding "violence" after they distributed a satirical flyer mocking a publication of the Feminist and Gender Studies program. As part of their punishment, the students have been required to hold a campus forum discussing issues brought up by their satirical publication. They turned to FIRE for help.

NEW YORK OFFICE OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR BUSINESS

FIRE supporters might recall that back in November we announced that FIRE would be opening up a satellite office in New York City. Now, after months of effort and hard work, FIRE is extremely excited to proclaim that the office is now operational and open for business. Located at Columbus Circle in Manhattan at 250 West 57th St, Suite 1830, the NY satellite office allows FIRE staff closer access to allies, supporters, and New York based media. Although FIRE's headquarters will always remain in Philadelphia, this move is a crucial first step in expanding FIRE's national influence.

FIRE ON CBS EVENING NEWS

The debate over college gossip site JuicyCampus.com has taken the media by storm and FIRE's president Greg Lukianoff has had several opportunities to speak to news sources regarding this issue. On March 30, he was featured in a segment on CBS Evening News. While he was interviewed extensively, only a brief clip made it on air, so Greg has posted the majority of what he shared with CBS on The Huffington Post.

RECENT MEDIA COVERAGE

KOAA NBC, April 2, "Flyers spark free speech debate at CC," by David Tauchen

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The Gazette, April 1, "Free speech an issue at CC after satirical flier is prohibited," by Brian Newsome

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Inside Higher Ed, April 1, "Quick Takes from Inside Higher Ed: Double Standard Alleged," by Scott Jaschik

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TV3 Auckland, New Zealand, March 31, "College-orientated website under investigation for online bullying

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The Bulletin, March 31, "Colorado College satire causes a stir," by Joe Murray

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The Huffington Post, March 31, "Breaking news: Offensive and untrue material discovered on Internet!," by Greg Lukianoff

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Hullabaloo, March 28, "Advocacy group 'red flags' Tulane's free speech policy," by David Minsky

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More media coverage at thefire.org »

RECENT POSTS TO THE TORCH

April 1, "FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for April 2008: Murray State University in Kentucky," Samantha Harris

April 1, "Greg at 'Huffington Post' on JuicyCampus.com," Erin Royce

April 1, "Colorado College President Defends "Violence" Finding against Satirical Flyer," Adam Kissel

March 31, "New York Office Officially Open for Business," Sean Clark

March 31, "New 'FIREside Chats' Podcast Available," Erin Royce

Read The Torch at thefire.org »

RECENT MULTIMEDIA CONTENT

'FIREside Chats' Episode 107: FIRE's Case at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

View more multimedia at thefire.org »

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