Administration lifts ban on anonymous literature Key speech code reform implemented
Myles Busching |
Last Updated:9/22/09 Section: News
For the last few years the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has been working to encourage the College to make alterations to its speech code for both student and faculty conduct. According to an evaluation by FIRE, the College is a "red light" school, implying significant restrictions to free speech on campus. The Informer has learned that either due to outside pressure or internal pressure alterations to the school's speech code are in the process of being made.
One major change already decided upon has been allowing anonymous fliers to be posted. The previous ban was heavily criticized by free speech advocates, including former Student Assembly Student Rights Secretary Braum Katz ('10) who criticized college rules that banned legal speech.
According to Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler, "we revised the rules relating to banners and posters to allow anonymous postings." This was something that FIRE was adamant about because they felt that it infringed on freedom of expression to have every posting registered. For instance, some organizations might want to keep membership secret.
Additionally Ms. Ambler stated that "We revisited our Computing Resources policy, and removed vague and unenforced provisions prohibiting "pandering to discrimination," "profane language", "implicitly depicting or encouraging indecent sexual conduct," and "participating in an improper purpose."" This was another reason that FIRE gave the college a red light rating.
This policy especially drew the ire of some members of the English department staff who felt that it was ridiculous that every time they looked up a piece of literature that met the preceding criteria that they were supposed to contact the department chair and inform them. Though the policy often went unenforced just having it on the books was an issue for many.
Ms. Ambler also stated that additional revisions are under way that make the wording surrounding regulation of rallies, demonstrations, etc as not being disruptions, but an exercise of free speech. The scheduling requirements will be stated more clearly in the revisions also, which means that the strict 48 hour notice requirement will likely be removed among other changes.
Ms. Ambler believes that the "students will be pleased" with many of the further revisions. The school's major revisions may result in an improvement in FIRE's evaluation, as many of the restrictions to speech are in the process of changing. Few colleges have earned a "green light" denoting free speech friendly policies.
One major change already decided upon has been allowing anonymous fliers to be posted. The previous ban was heavily criticized by free speech advocates, including former Student Assembly Student Rights Secretary Braum Katz ('10) who criticized college rules that banned legal speech.
According to Vice President for Student Affairs Ginger Ambler, "we revised the rules relating to banners and posters to allow anonymous postings." This was something that FIRE was adamant about because they felt that it infringed on freedom of expression to have every posting registered. For instance, some organizations might want to keep membership secret.
Additionally Ms. Ambler stated that "We revisited our Computing Resources policy, and removed vague and unenforced provisions prohibiting "pandering to discrimination," "profane language", "implicitly depicting or encouraging indecent sexual conduct," and "participating in an improper purpose."" This was another reason that FIRE gave the college a red light rating.
This policy especially drew the ire of some members of the English department staff who felt that it was ridiculous that every time they looked up a piece of literature that met the preceding criteria that they were supposed to contact the department chair and inform them. Though the policy often went unenforced just having it on the books was an issue for many.
Ms. Ambler also stated that additional revisions are under way that make the wording surrounding regulation of rallies, demonstrations, etc as not being disruptions, but an exercise of free speech. The scheduling requirements will be stated more clearly in the revisions also, which means that the strict 48 hour notice requirement will likely be removed among other changes.
Ms. Ambler believes that the "students will be pleased" with many of the further revisions. The school's major revisions may result in an improvement in FIRE's evaluation, as many of the restrictions to speech are in the process of changing. Few colleges have earned a "green light" denoting free speech friendly policies.
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