National incidents shine spotlight on free speech
StuCo has renewed its deliberations on a proposed free speech bill that was first read on April 24. The bill states that StuCo will never restrict students' free speech, and will ask the University to look into creation of its own new free speech policy
"The bill is somewhat a response to the things that have happened over the past couple years but it's also a good time because we don't really have problems with free speech right now so they're less passionate," Scott Bierbryer, StuCo president, said.
Bierbryer criticized the current policy as "very vague. They should have some sort of policy so it's not random."
According to Lazerowitz, the Council's constitution "forbids the control of group action except as related to observances of the law and University regulations."
While he sees this as a necessary restriction on the Council's power, Lazerowitz also noted the possibility of the University using this in conjunction with the civility policy against not just groups, but individual students. "If something violated the civility policy, it would basically allow people to be punished for something that is not illegal, but that upsets the community or is viewed as rude."
"Considering that funding comes from the University, if we were told by the University that a group could no longer be funded, I would assume that we would have to listen, rather that jeopardize the rest of the SAC groups," said Austin Nelson, treasurer for StuCo exec board and SAC chair. Nelson added that SAC does not see the content of publications before their funding is approved.
"Technically if a group does not follow the rules of school, their funding can be restricted, but I've never actually seen it happen," Bierbryer said.
Susan Boswell, Dean of Student Life, did not respond our requests for comment.
While StuCo was unable to vote on the bill without a quorum, Lazerowitz was optimistic about the bill being passed. "The only objections that were raised were on the strong wording of the bill. I expect it should pass without amendments, but we'll see"
"The bill is somewhat a response to the things that have happened over the past couple years but it's also a good time because we don't really have problems with free speech right now so they're less passionate," Scott Bierbryer, StuCo president, said.
Bierbryer criticized the current policy as "very vague. They should have some sort of policy so it's not random."
According to Lazerowitz, the Council's constitution "forbids the control of group action except as related to observances of the law and University regulations."
While he sees this as a necessary restriction on the Council's power, Lazerowitz also noted the possibility of the University using this in conjunction with the civility policy against not just groups, but individual students. "If something violated the civility policy, it would basically allow people to be punished for something that is not illegal, but that upsets the community or is viewed as rude."
"Considering that funding comes from the University, if we were told by the University that a group could no longer be funded, I would assume that we would have to listen, rather that jeopardize the rest of the SAC groups," said Austin Nelson, treasurer for StuCo exec board and SAC chair. Nelson added that SAC does not see the content of publications before their funding is approved.
"Technically if a group does not follow the rules of school, their funding can be restricted, but I've never actually seen it happen," Bierbryer said.
Susan Boswell, Dean of Student Life, did not respond our requests for comment.
While StuCo was unable to vote on the bill without a quorum, Lazerowitz was optimistic about the bill being passed. "The only objections that were raised were on the strong wording of the bill. I expect it should pass without amendments, but we'll see"
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