First ammendment rights at risk
Dear Friends and Colleagues-In the last few days, Case Housing and Residence Life has instituted a ban on our First Amendment right of the Freedom of Speech. This new rule prevents us from speaking our minds and forces us to conform to what this administration believes is "correct and just"
Talking with Lisa Marsalek, Associate Director of Housing, this is a "protocol," not a policy. If a Residential Assistant directly or indirectly hears an individual making what Case deems to be a derogatory comment (such as "that's gay"), that person is to be lectured. DEPENDING UPON THE ENVIRONMENT AND SITUATION, this could result in a writeup.
Who, then, determines a derogatory comment? If one wears a pro-life t-shirt, could Case have RA's lecture to them of the possible offensive nature of such a garment? If a person chooses to carry around a book by Freud, could one be lectured on how Case finds the sexual nature of such a text to be a potential problem? Is Case the final arbiter of morality and righteousness?
While some may think this is a moral action and some may not, the fact remains that Case SHOULD NOT limit our rights both as citizens and students. No matter what your political affiliation, the First Amendment is important all of us as individuals.
Here's what we can do. Community Hour (12:30 to 2:00) on this Friday, January 20th, gather in front of Adelbert Hall (facing the Quad) and let's show this Administration that we truly do have a voice, loud and clear.
Pass this on to those who want to make something big happen.
In concern-
Matthew Crowley
Comments
Posted by:
Posted on: January 19, 2006 10:15 AM
Who is Matthew Crowley? Is he organizing this himself or on behalf of concern organization on campus?
Posted by: Joshua Terchek
Posted on: January 19, 2006 12:01 PM
Anyone else find it ironic that this blog attempts to support the First Amendment Right in one post (this one) while undermining it in others (specifically those relating to ID being taught in public school)?
Second, is this really a violation of free speech? It is after all a private university. The view that the protection of free speech is all encompassing is false. As an employee here at Case, I cannot say certain things that would be viewed as discriminatory or considered to be harrassment. Likewise, a lecture is not really "punishment." If the student were to be expelled or have scholarships and/or financial aid stripped for saying "something offensive" that would be another story. To have an RA say something along the lines of "mind what you say...it is could be offensive" is nothing. Write-ups would be undoubtedly limited to when harrassment occurs.