Spring Break
University might alter freedom of speech policy
CAITLIN BYRNES
Issue date: 4/14/09 Section: News
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"We are investigating and looking at the policy," Director of Campus Life Willie Banks said in a Monday interview. "If there is a genuine concern we have to, and we saw that at Open Mic with Mike."
Banks said he will seek input on the policy through his staff of club advisers, who work as "advocates" for student groups such as the Student Government Association and University Union. The current University policy specifies Tate and Memorial Plaza as "free speech zones" for University-affiliated groups, with a 48-hour prior approval required for other areas on campus.
However, some students feel the policy is in need of desperate reform.
"The semantics of the policy itself give students hesitation in expressing their opinion on any issue," said Lindsey Teague of Dawgs for Free Speech.
"While the University and Willie Banks seem very pro-students, it is still too restrictive. We have a huge portion of land devoted to our campus yet an absurdly small free speech zone."
Teague said the very idea of non-free speech zones is restrictive, and the entire campus should ideally be totally open for speech without forms.
"It is absurd to say American citizens can speak in some places and not others," Teague said. She said the policy is an embarrassment that came as a result of Gulf War protesting.
"I think it's baseless because we didn't have a free speech policy until 1991. So for our long history we didn't have one on the books," Teague said.
However, Teague said she knows the University won't make the entire campus a free-speech zone, so she is advocating for all green areas, such as the North Campus lawn, to be. Willie Banks said having free protests on North Campus could interfere with classes.
"We do believe in the freedom of expression for our community, but there are certain safeguards regarding time, place and manner," Banks said. "We have to fill the educational mission of the University. We need to let people know if you are coming through North Campus during peak hours with a bull horn. Students in classes would not be able to learn."
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 11
Liz
posted 4/14/09 @ 9:32 AM EST
Mr. Banks tone seems a little hostile. It sounds like he is trying to start some moral panic by linking the freedom of expression to radicals and riots. (Continued…)
juicy jones
posted 4/14/09 @ 10:19 AM EST
The students are raising a very valid and important issue. What are the policies at comparable and aspirational institutions? I've never seen a campus as lacking in political and events-related posterage as UGA, personally. (Continued…)
Aggra-vated
posted 4/14/09 @ 4:11 PM EST
The whole policy is a joke. The purpose of protest is to disrupt. Not allowing students the freedom to petition a state entity goes back on everything you learn in your mandatory political science 1101 class. (Continued…)
BeauG
posted 4/14/09 @ 11:29 PM EST
Dear Willie B:
By creating zones, the administration is saying that free speech does not exist in the areas of campus outside the zones.
A university is supposed to be a marketplace of ideas. (Continued…)
Ronnie
posted 4/15/09 @ 1:04 AM EST
The policy does seem restrictive when you first read it, but if you think about it as the article goes on you understand why it's in place. Students do the "tate shuffle" because they don't want to be accosted by right or left leaning idoits spouting off about their cause of the week. (Continued…)
liz kinnamon
posted 4/15/09 @ 1:25 AM EST
yes! go Dawgs for Free Speech, you're fabulous
BeauG
posted 4/15/09 @ 1:39 AM EST
I forgot to add this: with all the cries of economic woes by the University, why am I (along with all other students) still buying Willie B. and his staff lunch? His favorite is Willy's Mexicana Grill (Or does it just have to do with his large ego?) and I think that perhaps he should just buy his own lunch with his high salary instead of using student funds. (Continued…)
BeauG
posted 4/15/09 @ 1:52 AM EST
And one MORE freaking thing:
How in the heck is it free speech for the jugglers (one of whom is a professor) to juggle in the lobby outside of the science library (in BOYD)! and almost hit students walking by?!!!!!!
That is total BS! Tuesday night, those jugglers almost hit me with a bowling pin. (Continued…)
BeauG
posted 4/15/09 @ 1:59 AM EST
Do the jugglers in the lobby (inside a building) between Boyd and the Science Library have a PERMIT to juggle?
How is this safe to JUGGLE with bowling pins next to other faculty, students, staff, and the general public walking by?
Did Willie B. (Continued…)
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