With Election Weeks Away, Political Speech Under Attack on America's Campuses

We read:

"At the University of Oklahoma, students and faculty were notified last month that "the forwarding of political humor/commentary" using their university e-mail accounts was prohibited. In response to a letter from FIRE, the university has modified its stance, stating that the prohibition is only applicable "to the extent discussions are attributable to the University as endorsing or opposing a political candidate." However, the university has not communicated this change to the community at large, leaving many under the impression that such private e-mail forwards are forbidden.

At the University of Illinois, the university Ethics Office issued a newsletter warning faculty against engaging in political expression on campus, including attending political rallies, wearing buttons, and even placing bumper stickers on cars. After widespread criticism and a letter from FIRE, President B. Joseph White issued a clarification, assuring faculty members that the university would allow them to engage in such expression.

In addition to the situations at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Illinois, FIRE has monitored bans on political expression at several other institutions in the past few weeks. At the University of Texas at Austin (UT), two students were threatened with disciplinary action for refusing to remove political signs placed in their dormitory window. In the face of nationwide criticism, UT President William Powers Jr. waived that prohibition, pending a policy review.

Iowa Western Community College has banned individual students from distributing campaign handbills and has banned postings of campaign materials while other postings are allowed. FIRE has also received reports of censorship at Fresno Pacific University, Louisiana State University, and Cuyamaca College.

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