Less than two weeks after an interim policy restricting students’ rights to demonstrate in university buildings sparked a campus-wide conversation, Ohio University President Duane Nellis addressed students and faculty via email, asking for additional feedback.
The policy, which effectively bans “demonstrations, rallies, public speech-making, picketing, sit-ins, marches, protests, and similar assemblies” inside university buildings, has raised tensions everywhere from the graffiti wall to senate meetings.
At Graduate Student Senate's meeting last week, Nellis publicly addressed the issue for the first time, taking questions from graduate students who raised concerns about the ambiguity of the policy, which neglects to outline consequences for those who violate it.
“The policy we drafted was based on looking at similar free speech policies at other Ohio public universities,” Nellis told members of GSS. “I’m not arguing for the policy we put out … it doesn’t ban free speech in buildings. If you register, you can go there and do what you want to do as long as it’s peaceful and not disruptive.”
Nellis doubled down on his statements in Monday’s email, calling the interim policy a “significant issue” that students and faculty “care deeply about.”
“We realize it would have been best to complete the interim policy with consultation from the University Senates before submitting it to the University community for comment.” Nellis said in the email. “In fact, when stakeholders started expressing their concerns about the interim policy, we reacted quickly with this statement, which was provided directly to individuals and more broadly via the media.”
On Friday, Nellis, along with interim Executive Vice President and Provost David Descutner and “other reviewers” of the policy met with executive members of each university senate to discuss the next steps in evaluating the policy.
“We were pleased that they wanted to make it clear that all students, faculty, and staff are being encouraged to reach out during the review process to their respective Senate leaders to share their comments and specific recommendations.” Nellis said in the email. “Please know that we want to hear from our community and especially would like to receive constructive feedback in written form.”
The deadline to submit comments and feedback on the policy has been extended to Oct. 20. Feedback can also be submitted to the Office of Legal Affairs through General Counsel John Biancamano.
The emailed statement also included a link to a document highlighting similar policies in place at the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University, University of Cincinnati, Kent State University, Miami University and the University of Toledo.
During the GSS meeting, Descutner discussed the possibility of hosting an open house-style event. The OU Students for Law, Justice and Culture will host an open forum Tuesday featuring faculty members, administrators and student leaders.
“We encourage all to come and give input and would like to prioritize student voices regarding these policies that are included in the student section of university policies," Center for Law, Justice and Culture Director Haley Duschinski said on the center's website. "We would like to hear from to all student leaders and organizations who will be affected by these policies.”
The forum will take place in Walter Hall 235 from 5 - 7 p.m.
Correction: A previous version of the photo caption incorrectly listed the date of the protest. The caption has been updated to reflect the most accurate information.
