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Speech Code of the Month: Wesleyan University

February 5, 2013

FIRE announces its Speech Code of the Month for February 2013: Wesleyan University. Although Wesleyan is a private university, it claims to value free speech, stating that it will protect “[f]reedom of assembly, speech, belief, and the right of petition.” Yet the university also prohibits any “actions that may be harmful to the health or emotional stability of the individual or that degrade the individual or infringe upon his/her personal dignity”—a policy that prohibits protected speech and leaves students’ rights at the mercy of the most sensitive members of the university community. Read Full Article

Press Release

Eastern Kentucky University Earns Highest Rating for Free Speech

February 4, 2013

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) has eliminated all of its speech codes, earning the highest, "green light" rating for free speech from FIRE. While the overwhelming majority of the nation's colleges and universities maintain policies that clearly and substantially restrict freedom of speech, EKU is now a proud exception as one of just 16 schools nationwide to earn a green light and as Kentucky's first green light school. EKU administrators worked with FIRE attorneys to ensure compliance with the First Amendment.  Read Full Article

Press Release

Jury Finds Former College President Personally Liable for $50,000 in Victory for Student Rights

February 1, 2013

A federal jury today found former Valdosta State University (VSU) President Ronald M. Zaccari personally liable for $50,000 for violating the due process rights of former student Hayden Barnes in the case of Barnes v. Zaccari. In May 2007, Zaccari expelled Barnes for peacefully protesting Zaccari's plan to construct two parking garages on campus, calling a collage posted by Barnes on his personal Facebook page a "threatening document" and labeling Barnes a "clear and present danger" to VSU. Barnes first came to FIRE for help in October 2007. Read Full Article

The Torch

FIRE Announces Winners of 2012 Essay Contest

January 31, 2013

FIRE is pleased to announce the winners of our 2012 Essay Contest! Mark Gimelstein of Great Neck South High School in Great Neck, New York, won first prize for his essay, "The Audacity of Independent Thought." He will receive a $10,000 college scholarship. Nora Faris of Concordia High School in Concordia, Missouri, took second place and will receive a $5,000 college scholarship. Our three third-place winners for $1,000 scholarships are Alexandra Crum of Chisholm, Minnesota; Hannah Dent of Denver, North Carolina; and Asheshananda Rambachan of Apple Valley, Minnesota. The winners of our $500 scholarship drawing are Clayton Hammonds, Jr. of Covington, Georgia; Minhi Kang of New Berlin, Wisconsin; Hannah Rasmussen of St. Peter, Minnesota; and Brian Shouse of Fulton, Maryland. Read Full Article

The Torch

UPDATE: Hayden Barnes Trial Underway in Georgia; New Video with Attorney Bob Corn-Revere

January 29, 2013

Nearly six years after he was expelled from Valdosta State University (VSU) for peacefully protesting the planned construction of parking garages on campus, former VSU student Hayden Barnes will finally be able to press the merits of his case in court. On Monday, trial began in Barnes' civil rights lawsuit against former VSU President Ronald Zaccari, the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, and other VSU administrators. The trial will determine whether Zaccari's decision to expel Barnes was reasonable and, if not, whether Barnes is entitled to damages. Today, FIRE also releases a new video interview about Barnes' case with noted First Amendment attorney Robert Corn-Revere, a partner at Davis Wright Tremaine and Barnes' lawyer.

The Torch

Press for Freedom: Stand Up for Student Journalists on Campus

January 24, 2013

In honor of Free Press Week, FIRE and the Student Press Law Center are teaming up to host a FREE webinar to discuss student press rights on campus next Wednesday, January 30. Attorneys Azhar Majeed from FIRE and Adam Goldstein from SPLC will be on hand to answer questions about the First Amendment rights of student journalists. Whether you are the editor of your campus newspaper or you run a personal blog, this webinar will help you stand up for your rights as a member of the Fourth Estate. Sign up today to join us! Read Full Article

Press Release

Victory: Montclair State Rescinds Suspension of Student for Social Media Comments

January 18, 2013

Montclair State University has rescinded its suspension of student Joseph Aziz for violating an unconstitutional gag order that the university imposed on him after he made comments on social media. University President Susan A. Cole revoked the semester-long suspension in a letter to Aziz yesterday evening, three days after FIRE exposed Montclair State's actions to the public. Read Full Article

Press Release

Unconstitutional Gag Order at Montclair State Leads to Student's Suspension

January 14, 2013

Montclair State University has suspended a student for violating an unconstitutional gag order placed on him by school administrators. Joseph Aziz was suspended and barred from campus effective January 2, as the result of unflattering social media comments he made regarding a fellow student on a politically charged YouTube video. Following an unsuccessful appeal, Aziz came to FIRE for help. Read Full Article

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The Torch: Fire's Blog

• Pro-Life Student Group Files Suit Against Oklahoma State University 4 hours ago
• Speech Code of the Month: Wesleyan University 9 hours ago
• NYC Lawmakers Threaten Brooklyn College Over Controversial Forum 1 day ago
• No, Mob-Rule Censorship Is Not Free Speech 1 day ago
• February Student Spotlight: Danielle Susi & ‘The Quad News’ Staff 3 days ago
• Jury Finds Former College President Personally Liable for $50,000 in Victory for Student Rights 4 days ago
• The Unique Free Speech Challenges Facing Student Satire and Humor 4 days ago

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