Posted by Eugene Volokh:
No Controversial Speech at the College, Please:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2005_06_12-2005_06_18.shtml#1118856668
[1]The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education -- whose
assertions I've generally found to be quite trustworthy, and which
backs them up with links to original documents -- writes:
[Eliana] Camposâ tribulations began on March 23, 2005, when she
went to [Seminole Community College] Student Activities Specialist
Gail Agor to request permission to sit at a table and pass out
literature from PETA. Agor refused her request and later justified
it by writing, âEliana, maybe you wouldnât insult or yell, but PETA
instills a feeling in me that I canât, and wonât, take a chance on
campus. [sic] ... I feel this is a set up for conflict.â She told
Campos that she would only be allowed to âstand and speak freelyâ
about her beliefs in the collegeâs tiny and ill-defined âfree
speech area.â . . .
FIRE wrote to SCC President E. Ann McGee on April 18, pointing out
that Agorâs decision constituted discrimination against the
studentâs views and that SCCâs free speech zone policy was
unconstitutional. In a response, Vice President James D. Henningsen
wrote that Agorâs comments were not âauthorized,â and that future
requests would be considered on a content-neutral basis. However,
he attached to his letter e-mails indicating that Campos could
protest only in the free speech zone, and that only âregistered
student organizationsâ could table in the café.
Campos repeatedly requested a written copy of the alleged policy
restricting café tables to student organizations, but was supplied
only with another copy of the free speech zone policy -- which does
not mention the café. FIRE criticized SCCâs inability to produce
the supposed student organizations-only policy in a June 7 reply to
Henningsen, but has received no reply. . . .
Really, though I don't understand why [2]PETA literature would set
anything up for conflict.
References
1. http://thefire.org/index.php/article/5773.html
2. http://mtd.com/tasty/
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