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Clemson students fight for free speech
The Clemson Conservatives are giving Clemson administrators a much-needed tutorial on the First Amendment--and they have FIRE's help:
A Clemson University student organization, the Clemson Conservatives, protested Friday against the school's free speech policies.Clemson officials said Friday they are reviewing the university's sales and solicitation policy, part of which deals with free speech. The policy lists the Hendrix Student Center, which sits between Tillman Hall and the Edgar A. Brown University Union, as a free-speech area on campus.
Andrew Davis, chairman of the student group and a Clemson senior, said Friday he does not believe the university may define where students may engage in free speech on campus.
In part of an earlier public statement, Mr. Davis stated "no public university should have the right to restrict, limit, or abridge this fundamental right (to free speech) except in those circumstances ascribed by common law, given they are the constitutionally appointed arbiters of these constitutional rights."
The protest arose after the Clemson Conservatives were verbally admonished and censured by the university in regards to an Oct. 30 protest. The group protested at the scene of a Clemson Gay Straight Alliance rally, which was not at one of two "free speech areas" referenced in university policy.
George Smith, university union director at Clemson, said the Clemson Conservatives did not receive the proper approval to protest where they did on Oct. 30. The Clemson University Police Department did not approve the action, Mr. Smith said.
The Clemson Conservatives decided to protest where they did because they felt university policies are unconstitutional, Mr. Davis said.
The free-speech area policy is meant to provide the university with a way to be aware of events happening on campus so student safety is protected, Mr. Smith said Friday.
"By having free-speech areas, we're in no way trying to censor free thought or expression of ideas," he said.
Sophomore Steve Buffington, vice chairman of The Clemson Conservatives, said students do not give up their rights as Americans. The issue of protecting free speech is one that unites students across the political spectrum, Mr. Buffington and Mr. Davis said.
Establishment of free speech areas puts the university on a slippery slope to possible erosion of the rights of those on campus, Mr. Buffington said.
A total of about 160 students and faculty members signed a petition Friday at the protest indicating they feel free-speech areas are unconstitutional, Mr. Davis said. Plans call for the presentation of the petition to Clemson officials.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a group based in Philadelphia, has sent a letter to Clemson officials expressing concern about the university's free-speech policies. Foundation officials have requested a response to the letter by Nov. 27, and Clemson officials are composing that reply, said Gail DiSabatino, the university vice president for student affairs.
"Constitutionally protected speech is permitted at the university," Ms. DiSabatino said.
Clemson officials are working to compose a revised policy by Jan. 1 that then would be reviewed by students, faculty members and staff.
It is to Clemson's great credit that administrators appear to be responding appropriately to the news that the school's policy on free speech is unconstitutional (and there is no doubt that establishing free speech zones on campus does pose a constittional problem, as courts have already determined). And here's to the Clemson Conservatives for fighting to guarantee not just their own expressive rights--but those of everyone on campus, no matter what their views.
Posted by acta online at November 18, 2006 10:55 AM
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Comments
From reading the articles and letters of complaint (and these may neglect crucial details), it appears that the problem is not that there is but a small physical zone to hold demonstrations, but that the administration has granted or withheld permission to congregate outside that zone according to criteria it will not promulgate (but about which we may make some suppositions). Can anyone point to a statute or resolution of the South Carolina legislature or Board of Regents which adds a special deference to the promotion of sodomy (or opposition to the Iraq war) to the educational mission of Clemson University? Or is this another act of misfeasance on the part of public employees who have forgotten that they work for someone? (And, unlike the local auto license bureau, are likely people without roots in the local area).
Posted by: Art Deco at November 19, 2006 06:46 PM