Ohio University's first dean of students candidate addressed hot-button issues in higher education such as free speech and students' rights at two open forums yesterday.
Brian Nichols, current interim dean of students at Texas A&M University-Commerce, said universities need more policy beyond the First Amendment when students' rights are concerned.
We are allowed to control time
place and means but we have to open the door for outside speakers he said, adding that the more detailed the free speech policy, the more harm to the institution.
Following last year's Virginia Tech shooting, the trend was to be less tolerable of suspicious behavior in students, Nichols said.
I removed more people from campus last semester than I did in the entire last year
he said. But
I can't tell you how many times I've been the last stands for students.
Nichols said that he has not removed one student from campus without assessing that student's individual rights beforehand.
Nichols, who completed his undergraduate education at University of Cincinnati, also addressed the issue of OU's history as a party school.
I am not anti- much of anything
he said. Responsible use of alcohol is probably a smarter lesson.
Nichols, who said he is drawn to Athens because of its student energy, is the first of four candidates to participate in the open forums. The next forums are on Monday at 2 p.m. in Baker University Center 240 and 4 p.m. in the 1804 Lounge.
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Emily Hubbell
