Ohio U. Students Can Now Put 'We Get You Off' on a T-Shirt
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education wins another free speech case.
Ohio University students have the First Amendment right to wear T-shirts bearing the slogan "We get you off," according to a recent decision made at the behest of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.
Students Defending Students, a student group that provides legal services to other students, utilized the double entendre in its marketing, but last year university officials claimed it violated the code of conduct, which prohibits any act that "degrades, demeans, or disgraces" the campus community.
FIRE called the university's actions a clear example of censorship, and the law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine filed suit on behalf of SDS. Administrators settled with the group on Monday, agreeing to change the code and pay $32,000 in damages and attorney's fees.
Last summer, representatives for FIRE announced their intention to vigorously pursue legal action against any and all universities that infringed upon students' free speech rights. The OU settlement is the fourth consecutive win stemming from that effort.
It is also yet another striking example of how straying into politically-incorrect territory—using a harmless sexual innuendo to promote your group—can get you into real trouble on a college campus. But then again, political correctness doesn't actually exist, right?
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…it violated the code of conduct, which prohibits any act that “degrades, demeans, or disgraces” the campus community.
As long as the subjectivity is codified.
But then again, political correctness doesn’t actually exist, right?
Now you’re just hit-fishing.
Is that anything like “fishing” using sticks of dynamite?
Nitpick: It’s THE Ohio University.
This is correct.
Not even THE Ohio University calls itself THE Ohio University.
http://www.ohio.edu/
Because they don’t have to.
I took a shit at THE Ohio University once.
/channeling Sandi
Phrasing?
Universities need to learn that while they can be picky about their customers, they’re still *customers* and pissing off your customers is not a good idea.
i want to start an antidepression group with shirts that say “we can get it up!”
FIRE’s been kicking ass and taking names recently. Same with IJ. I ought to kick some money their way.
“Same with IJ. I ought to kick some money their way.”
IJ’s been on my list for a while, but FIRE’s gonna make it this year.
I particularly like that they collect damages; want somebody’s attention? Hit right square in the wallet.
You “students” have no idea, and probably never will, how these colleges/universities are screwing you…no…more like raping you royally. And you’re dumb-ass parents that dutifully send checks are just as dopey.
You really ought to sue and get your money back: You’re being sold a defective product, but you’re too stupid to realize it.
Now, wait just a doggone minute!
Is that “We get you off” like “We get the legal charges against you dropped”, or something more, um, pernicious?
Only if you consider happy endings “pernicious.”
” But then again, political correctness doesn’t actually exist, right?”
I think the recent view was = “‘use of the term was “the sole province of dullards, bigots, and general morons.”