The Board of Trustees will be meeting next Thursday and Friday, and, according to a Post article from October 17 (Proposal would limit trustees from publicly speaking about the board), they will be considering the adoption of a Statement of Expectations that will prohibit individual members from speaking for the board and criticizing the president publicly.
Even aside from the obvious objections to this proposal on the grounds of free speech, it's completely outrageous. The student trustees are supposed to represent the student body on the board and also keep students on campus informed. I expect them to be able to have honest, open conversations with us. Such deliberation can only take place if they are able to freely express themselves. If they have concerns, I want to hear them.
Since student trustees don't have the power to vote, the best way they can contribute to an open, democratic campus is by engaging the student body. Why does the Board of Trustees want to impede them in that vital duty?
It's one thing for the board to propose a policy which encourages constructive and respectful criticism. It's quite another to limit all public criticism from trustees. I hope the rest of the campus will join me in urging the Board to rethink any policy that places limits on speech.
Jessica Beardsley is a senior studying political science.
4 Opinion
