Free speech zones at Ohio University are nothing new, but they're in the news again thanks to United Campus Ministry's Free Speech Zones discussion and the ever-present activism of Students for a Democratic Society. Ohio University has 22 areas that can be specifically reserved by anyone who wants to say anything. They include locations such as College Gate, West Portico and the Howard Hall site. The problem is that if there are 22 areas where totally free speech is allowed, there are countless areas where it is not.
Limitations on free speech should only be permitted in certain rare circumstances. Having free speech zones assumes that free speech should take a back seat to other rights, such as the right to walk to class without being disturbed. That is a faulty assumption. OU ought to abandon the concept of designated free speech areas and make the entire campus a free speech zone.
Additionally, if OU were to get sued over this policy, it might lose. West Virginia University and others have abandoned free speech zone policies when faced with lawsuits or the threat of lawsuits.
OU does grant certain exceptions in non-designated areas for speech that is a reaction to a specific policy. But that leaves OU to determine when speech is a reaction to a specific policy and when it is not. Free speech should be free anywhere and all the time, unless it presents a very serious threat to students' safety or well-being.
Columns represent the majority opinion of the Post executive editors.
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Entire campus should be free speech area, rather than just 22 current zones
