Let's say it is a Sunday morning and you are recapping the weekend with your friends on College Green. One anecdote leads to another, and you brag about a recent hookup.
Although this is not polite conversation, the subject is common among college students. But if another person overheard the story, he or she could send you to Judiciaries. Comments that degrade another person fall under a Code A offense, with punishments ranging from reprimand to expulsion.
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a nonprofit that focuses on infringement of free speech in higher education, recently rated Ohio University with a red light status for five university policies: sexual harassment, mental and bodily harm, community expectations, computer and network use and use of outdoor space. For the third time in four years, the foundation assessed OU as having at least one policy that clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech.
Although the group only suggests lawyers for interested students without conducting its own legal action, these ratings are startling as is. It seems inevitable that a student would sue OU after being caught violating the school's poorly worded policies. The rules remain overly broad in a way that ultimately benefits OU.
William Creeley, the foundation's director of legal and public advocacy, claims a flawless record at determining whether university policies violate First Amendment rights.
Ohio University
by maintaining policies that violate the First Amendment invites a lawsuit from Ohio University students Creeley said.
Students have recently protested OU's rules stifling free speech. In 2007, Students for a Democratic Society lobbied to significantly change who can protest in the school's free speech zones. The group's efforts after the protest expanded the number of zones and allowed all students and employees who register in advance to participate.
Overall, 71 percent of universities profiled nationwide by the free speech foundation received a red light rating, and Cleveland State University was the only public college in Ohio to achieve a green light rating. At OU, each policy undergoes legal review, and General Counsel John Biancamano verifies that the policy conforms to federal and state law. Becky Watts, chief of staff to President Roderick McDavis, reiterated that the policies in place reflect OU's needs.
We're disappointed that administrators are more concerned with protecting the school against a lawsuit than promoting free speech. A college's purpose is to teach students and keep them engaged in learning, and free speech is a vital part of that goal.
4
Opinion
