FIRE Illuminates Restrictions on Campus Free Expression

Brian Doherty | December 27, 2006

The Foundation for Individual Right in Education (FIRE) has rounded up its institutional victories for free speech on campus for the year. Some highlights, from its press release:

• Convincing the University of Wisconsin System to repeal a ban on resident assistants leading Bible studies in their dorms and to approve a new policy explicitly permitting them to do so;
• Defeating SUNY Fredonia’s attempt to deny a promotion to Professor Stephen Kershnar for expressing opinions critical of the university;
• Restoring press freedom to students at Johns Hopkins University, where issues of the conservative student publication The Carrollton Record were stolen and its staff investigated for harassment;
• Successfully pressuring Columbia University to revoke the suspension it placed on the men’s ice hockey club for posting recruitment flyers containing a play on words that some found offensive;

Probably obligatory: yes, a private university should be legally able to do what it wishes; but it's better if they honor the right of free expression to its employees and students, and FIRE's general reliance on education and pressure to make them change policies is a noble thing.