Students speak freely about the importance of free speech

Savannah Perkins 

A representative from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education addressed a group of Utah State University students Thursday night concerning some university codes that do not comply with constitutional rights.

“Making legal arguments to your fellow students in support of free speech is a more difficult thing to do,” said Tyler Coward, a FIRE campus organizer, “Therefore, understanding the underlying moral and philosophical defenses of free speech is critical.”

FIRE is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting civil liberties of students and faculty members on college campuses.

The organization uses a rating scale to measure how different universities' policies across the nation uphold the First Amendment. Coward said that a red light rating is when at least one written policy clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. USU has received a red light rating for multiple policies.

One of the university’s policies, from the Housing Handbook, says "A member of the Utah State University Housing community supports, practices, and respects dignity of all persons, by not demeaning, teasing, ridiculing, or insulting individuals or groups."

Emily Orr, the president and event organizer of the Aggies for Liberty club, explained that this policy is problematic because ideas of dignity, teasing, ridiculing, and insulting are all subjective.

“What one individual may think is appropriate may come off as insulting to another individual,” Orr said.

Other policies were similarly discussed as to dealing with the vagueness of terms used, making it unclear to students as to what is and is not permissible.

Ashlie Webb, a USU student, works with Kim Coleman R-West Jordan. In the recent legislative session, Coleman had four bills with which she worked with FIRE to write.

“Legislation might not be the way to go but I think student action has promise,” Webb said.

Orr ended the meeting with an invitation to get involved, to have a voice and recognize the impact that a small change to policy could have.

“The whole time I was listening I knew that I wanted to find a way to be more proactive and find a way to get more involved,” said Joshua Johnson, a USU student. “I want to put my force and my energy forward and not be passive anymore.”

Orr is planning more opportunities for student voice to be heard, including more student involvement and petitions starting next week.

“There is a real need to protect speech on college campuses,” Orr said. “We are here to learn, grow, and be challenged intellectually. Freedom of speech will allow for all of this. My goal is to have positive social change for students.”

To learn more about Utah State University’s policy ratings as issued by FIRE visitwww.thefire.org

To get more involved in ongoing efforts on campus contact Emily Orr, Aggies for Liberty president at 951-367-5089 or emilylorr@ymail.com