2008 Woodie Awards
FIRE stresses individual rights of college students
Robert L. Shibley puts students' freedom for protest to the ultimate test.
By: Ashley Garris
Issue date: 3/2/07 Section: News
The university policy was doomed for failure because their only excuse was an over-generalized concern for order.
"By setting up 'free speech' zones, Clemson was designating the rest of campus as a 'censorship zone' where freedom of expression was restricted," said Shibley.
On Nov. 16, 2006 Clemson began reviewing the university policy which restricted students to protesting or publicly voicing their opinions only at the two "free speech areas." Vice President of Student Affairs Gail DiSabatino emailed Davis to inform him that since the "free speech" policy is under review, DiSabatino was removing the sanctions placed on the Clemson Conservatives, and the Office of Student Conduct destroyed the file related to this discipline case. DiSabatino also issued a public statement that enabled campus affiliates to assembly peacefully.
"During this period of review, affiliated individuals or groups may assemble, protest or demonstrate on campus as long as they do not disrupt the normal or previously scheduled activities of the university or university affiliated entities, violate the free speech, assembly or movement of other individuals or organizations, damage property, or create an unsafe situation for any individual, group or organization," said DiSabatino.
University administrators and CUPD saw the "free speech zones" policy as an efficient way of monitoring public group activities.
"My former understanding was that the policy met the tests of time, place and manner, but after hearing Shibley speak about the First Amendment and looking at the policy more carefully, the complaint made sense," said Joy Smith, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Clemson. "The policy is in the hands of the university's legal council, and they're in the process of writing a new policy."
At a discussion held on Tuesday night to bring these problems to the surface, topics were covered on a wide variety of free speech issues. Shibley discussed the ever-popular Facebook, which is the growth industry of FIRE. College administrators and police departments use Facebook to look for underage drinking and other violations to university policies.
"By setting up 'free speech' zones, Clemson was designating the rest of campus as a 'censorship zone' where freedom of expression was restricted," said Shibley.
On Nov. 16, 2006 Clemson began reviewing the university policy which restricted students to protesting or publicly voicing their opinions only at the two "free speech areas." Vice President of Student Affairs Gail DiSabatino emailed Davis to inform him that since the "free speech" policy is under review, DiSabatino was removing the sanctions placed on the Clemson Conservatives, and the Office of Student Conduct destroyed the file related to this discipline case. DiSabatino also issued a public statement that enabled campus affiliates to assembly peacefully.
"During this period of review, affiliated individuals or groups may assemble, protest or demonstrate on campus as long as they do not disrupt the normal or previously scheduled activities of the university or university affiliated entities, violate the free speech, assembly or movement of other individuals or organizations, damage property, or create an unsafe situation for any individual, group or organization," said DiSabatino.
University administrators and CUPD saw the "free speech zones" policy as an efficient way of monitoring public group activities.
"My former understanding was that the policy met the tests of time, place and manner, but after hearing Shibley speak about the First Amendment and looking at the policy more carefully, the complaint made sense," said Joy Smith, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Clemson. "The policy is in the hands of the university's legal council, and they're in the process of writing a new policy."
At a discussion held on Tuesday night to bring these problems to the surface, topics were covered on a wide variety of free speech issues. Shibley discussed the ever-popular Facebook, which is the growth industry of FIRE. College administrators and police departments use Facebook to look for underage drinking and other violations to university policies.
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