Academic

UT lifts ban on political signs in dorm windows

By Kevin Maillard

Two undergraduates at the University of Texas faced exclusion from spring course registration because they displayed political signs in their dormitory window.  University officials told the students to remove the signs within 48 hours or they would face further disciplinary action.

Even though the signs supported Obama, both College Democrats and College Republicans joined together in support of the window displays, which they viewed as a free-speech issue. They encouraged other students to follow suit in protest, by forcing the university to face adjudication of thousands of "window crimes."

But the university argued the rule did not intend to quash political expression.  Rather, it was for "aesthetic reasons," justifying that "the campus offers plenty of alternatives for students to practice their right to free speech."  Additionally, a spokesperson argued that rescinding the policy "opens the door to people who would want to put 'Ku Klux Klan" or 'so and so sucks' signs" on display."

On Thursday, the University suspended the rule, allowing all students to display the signs.

"I was in the process of drafting the pleadings to protect their First Amendment rights," Mark Kincaid, father of one of the students said.

"I can tell you I would have represented them with about 100 Texas lawyers beside me."

(Quotes taken from Houston Chronicle, here)

Full post as published by The Faculty Lounge on October 11, 2008 (boomark / email).