2008 Woodie Awards
New policy stifles student speech
Free expression must be encouraged at NKU
Issue date: 2/28/07 Section: Viewpoints
STAFF EDITORIAL
On Dec. 5, 2006, while students were preparing for exams and completing final projects, Northern Kentucky University proposed a new free speech policy. One, administrators claimed, that would "reaffirm and support the concepts of freedom of thought, conscience, inquiry, speech, and lawful assembly."
It does no such thing.
Among its many new regulations, the most noticed change outlaws chalking. With no explanation or discussion, one of the rights most valued by many student groups, such as Common Ground and Northern Right to Life, is prohibited in the new policy.
And while the policy's writers quote legal cases involving free speech, they seemed to forget to read the texts they cited. In Roberts v. Haragan, the court emphasized an older ruling that free speech limitations must be "narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest and leave open ample alternative channels of communication."
An outright ban on chalking does not sound narrowly tailored. Nor are there ample alternative channels of communication. Chalked messages can quickly and easily be written anywhere on campus. It is a cheap method for students to express themselves without any risk of impeding the flow of traffic.
Considering that the proposal goes far out of its way to make sure pedestrians don't have to, one must wonder why NKU seems so determined to remove such an innocuous conduit for communication.
Some students may use posters and fliers to get their message out. Any student can distribute posters, fliers, pamphlets and banners, according to the new policy. But what posters are exactly is never defined. The previous policy explained precisely what constituted a poster, handbill, flier and banner. But the new policy lumps them together, and then proceeds to include banners under both "posting" and "temporary displays."
These temporary displays, which constitute "any object that results in a temporary visible change to a campus area," could easily be construed to include posters, fliers and handbills, which can be removed if they aren't stamped by the university center desk.
On Dec. 5, 2006, while students were preparing for exams and completing final projects, Northern Kentucky University proposed a new free speech policy. One, administrators claimed, that would "reaffirm and support the concepts of freedom of thought, conscience, inquiry, speech, and lawful assembly."
It does no such thing.
Among its many new regulations, the most noticed change outlaws chalking. With no explanation or discussion, one of the rights most valued by many student groups, such as Common Ground and Northern Right to Life, is prohibited in the new policy.
And while the policy's writers quote legal cases involving free speech, they seemed to forget to read the texts they cited. In Roberts v. Haragan, the court emphasized an older ruling that free speech limitations must be "narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest and leave open ample alternative channels of communication."
An outright ban on chalking does not sound narrowly tailored. Nor are there ample alternative channels of communication. Chalked messages can quickly and easily be written anywhere on campus. It is a cheap method for students to express themselves without any risk of impeding the flow of traffic.
Considering that the proposal goes far out of its way to make sure pedestrians don't have to, one must wonder why NKU seems so determined to remove such an innocuous conduit for communication.
Some students may use posters and fliers to get their message out. Any student can distribute posters, fliers, pamphlets and banners, according to the new policy. But what posters are exactly is never defined. The previous policy explained precisely what constituted a poster, handbill, flier and banner. But the new policy lumps them together, and then proceeds to include banners under both "posting" and "temporary displays."
These temporary displays, which constitute "any object that results in a temporary visible change to a campus area," could easily be construed to include posters, fliers and handbills, which can be removed if they aren't stamped by the university center desk.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Jennifer
posted 3/14/07 @ 12:21 PM EST
I was shocked when I read the changes to the policy. I earned my undergraduate degree from a smaller, younger university and our policies were much more student-friendly. (Continued…)
shaun fugate
posted 3/15/07 @ 2:53 AM EST
First it was the smoking ban, now this. Without even realizing it, NKU is restricting the freedoms and liberties to meet a standard that is seen as best for the whole. (Continued…)
NKUstudent
posted 8/20/08 @ 11:52 AM EST
NKU doesnt care about its students now. Its going to take $800K to run the Student Union for a year. why do you think they are banning chalking and smoking and other things? to attract students with money to blow. (Continued…)
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