Regents pass revised Free Expression Policy
Jennifer Corbett
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News
Protesters were at a stand still as the newly proposed Free Expression Policy went before the Board of Regents, who passed the policy at its meeting May 2.
The policy includes changes such as designating the campus as a limited public forum and emphasizing "content neutral" practices. Other adjustments included eliminating "prior restraint" language, eliminating "Free Speech Areas" concept and clarifying posting and handbill practices.
Other accommodations included creating a "Temporary Display" policy, which permits the practice of chalking on campus walkways and establishes a "reasonable person" standard for policy interpretation.
"I'm glad it finally passed in a form conducted for free expression," said Eric Cranley, former president of College Republicans.
President James Votruba also expressed his support for the new policy at the meeting.
"I think the process is exactly what it should be," he said. "Students found a problem and fixed it, rather than adversarialy fixing it."
Votruba also added that he was shocked that so many people wanted to keep chalking, although he does feel that "chalking is fine."
During the spring Student Government Association election, students were asked to answer an opinion poll that asked if they were in favor or against chalking. Students voted overwhelming voted to maintain chalking.
Another issue brought up in the board meeting was the initiative to add a $15 fine if students don't pay their parking citations within the first 10 days of receiving the citation.
Former SGA president and board member Josh Ruth noted that he would be more comfortable if the university used alternatives to collect money.
"The level of fee should affect students to want to pay their ticket faster," Ruth said. He also suggested putting a monetary time period window for students to pay their tickets quicker.
The board passed to implement the $15 fee for the 2007-2008 school year.
"The fines are a start and are not meant to hurt students' pocket book," said Mike Tobergta, a student representative on the Parking Advisory Board. "It's worth a shot."
Tobergta said the $15 fee will give people an incentive and that it's "worth looking into."
"It's important to note that it's not a fee it's a fine," said Ken Ramey vice president of Administration and Finance. "It goes for students, faculty and staff."
The policy includes changes such as designating the campus as a limited public forum and emphasizing "content neutral" practices. Other adjustments included eliminating "prior restraint" language, eliminating "Free Speech Areas" concept and clarifying posting and handbill practices.
Other accommodations included creating a "Temporary Display" policy, which permits the practice of chalking on campus walkways and establishes a "reasonable person" standard for policy interpretation.
"I'm glad it finally passed in a form conducted for free expression," said Eric Cranley, former president of College Republicans.
President James Votruba also expressed his support for the new policy at the meeting.
"I think the process is exactly what it should be," he said. "Students found a problem and fixed it, rather than adversarialy fixing it."
Votruba also added that he was shocked that so many people wanted to keep chalking, although he does feel that "chalking is fine."
During the spring Student Government Association election, students were asked to answer an opinion poll that asked if they were in favor or against chalking. Students voted overwhelming voted to maintain chalking.
Another issue brought up in the board meeting was the initiative to add a $15 fine if students don't pay their parking citations within the first 10 days of receiving the citation.
Former SGA president and board member Josh Ruth noted that he would be more comfortable if the university used alternatives to collect money.
"The level of fee should affect students to want to pay their ticket faster," Ruth said. He also suggested putting a monetary time period window for students to pay their tickets quicker.
The board passed to implement the $15 fee for the 2007-2008 school year.
"The fines are a start and are not meant to hurt students' pocket book," said Mike Tobergta, a student representative on the Parking Advisory Board. "It's worth a shot."
Tobergta said the $15 fee will give people an incentive and that it's "worth looking into."
"It's important to note that it's not a fee it's a fine," said Ken Ramey vice president of Administration and Finance. "It goes for students, faculty and staff."
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
Bryan
posted 5/03/07 @ 9:42 AM EST
A $15 fine if you don't pay a parking ticket within 10 days? Parking at NKU is ridiculous. The amount of money we pay for such lousy parking is too much and parking fines are outrageous these days. (Continued…)
shaun fugate
posted 5/04/07 @ 2:00 AM EST
SGA once again has sided with the administration. Why not stand up for students instead of padding your resume? Stand up to the administration and tell them that an additional fine is wrong. (Continued…)
jb00007
James
posted 7/08/07 @ 10:25 AM EST
I completely agree with Bryan, parking was ridiculous 2 years ago when I lived ON campus, last year was even worse when I lived off campus with all of the construction. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 8/08/07 @ 12:59 PM EST
I wish people would stop complaining... NKU is not half as bad for parking as some other colleges in the state. I have been to UK and Morehead both are terrible and will make you walk hours to even get to a building. (Continued…)
James
posted 8/08/07 @ 11:01 PM EST
In response to adam's comment, I'm not doubting that other campuses are worse, but some are better. The fact of the matter is, is that we go to NKU, there is a problem with parking AND the ridiculous stipulations of fines and the amount of time that they are requiring payment. (Continued…)
savchickc
Chris
posted 8/14/07 @ 9:52 PM EST
Yeah, I agree it's awful. How dare they expect us to take any personal responsibility for our parking violations and even expect us to pay our fines on time! That's just ridiculous and unfair, man. (Continued…)
Jason Fricke
posted 11/27/07 @ 10:01 PM EST
What was the deal with so many people getting boots put on their car the day before the university closed for thanksgiving weekend?
Doesn't this seem to imply a few things:
1) the university did this the day before ,or the day of for some people, many students and other people would be traveling to spend the holiday with family and/or extended family? To me this seems like they were trying to eliminate five to six days out of the ten days before a student would be fined the additional $15. (Continued…)
Brandon
posted 12/02/07 @ 11:27 AM EST
Simple question to everyone...what are you going to do about it. And don't say nothing because you can. I live on campus so no I don't have it as bad as the commuters. (Continued…)
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