Table of Contents
Victory for Free Speech at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are much freer today than they were a year ago, thanks to a significant revision in university policy. Since being named ݮƵAPP’s Speech Code of the Month in January 2006, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has dramatically changed its policies. This victory for free expression follows a similar turn of events just over a year ago at Albertson College of Idaho.
In January 2006, ݮƵAPP featured MCLA’s Picketing Policy as our Speech Code of the Month. The policy in effect at that time provided that:
There shall be no interference with a demonstration on the grounds of content of speech, except for any speech or demonstration, which incites immediate violent actions, represents a clear and present danger to the community, or victimizes others because the speech contains offensive language and/or is motivated by hate or bias.
As ݮƵAPP pointed out at the time, MCLA’s Picketing Policy “could easily be used to suppress almost any student demonstration,” since the nature of a demonstration is such that it “will often, if not always, offend people who hold opposing beliefs.”
In a positive development for liberty on campus, MCLA has totally revised the policy highlighted in the Speech Code of the Month article to bring it in line with the college’s constitutional obligations. In the , the policy has been renamed the , and the relevant section now provides that:
There shall be no interference with a demonstration on the grounds of content of speech, except for any speech or demonstration, which incites immediate violent actions, represents a clear and present danger to the campus community, is motivated by hate or bias and may constitute a violation of state law.
In addition, the policy now emphasizes that:
MCLA embraces a student’s right to free speech and assembly and recognizes that an exercise of one’s freedom of expression can contribute to individual and community learning.
Unfortunately, ݮƵAPP cannot yet update MCLA’s “red light” rating on Spotlight, because the college still maintains other policies that restrict students’ freedom of speech. Nonetheless, MCLA deserves to be commended for making this significant policy change and moving in the direction of more, rather than less, liberty for its students—the opposite of what many colleges and universities are doing these days. ݮƵAPP hopes that this policy change marks the beginning of an ever-increasing climate of freedom at MCLA.
Recent Articles
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
Judge orders release of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk
Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk was jailed for an op-ed. A judge just ordered her release: If you're feeling the chill on campus, we want to hear from you. Free speech belongs to everyone.
After brazen attack on expressive rights, faculty at Sterling College aren’t in Kansas anymore
Sterling College punished two professors for speaking out — despite its promises of free expression. Now ݮƵAPP urges the college to honor its word.
Colorado reversal on misgendering ban is a crisis averted but a danger revealed
Colorado lawmakers just gutted a bill that would've punished misgendering. Call it a victory for free speech, but we should reflect on how we came so close to losing.
Zick on executive orders and official orthodoxies — First Amendment News 469
First Amendment News is a weekly blog and newsletter about free expression issues by Ronald K. L. Collins and is editorially independent from ݮƵAPP.