SIUC student demonstration policies stricter than other Illinois universities
Valerie N. Donnals
Daily Egyptian
vdonnals@dailyegyptian.com
Theater students at Western Illinois University last year did not like demonstrations restricted to one area and stood up for a change. Since then, all restrictions on student speech have been lifted. SIUC student activists are currently fighting for this goal, saying the University's free-speech policies are too strict.
Western, Eastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana all have policies with fewer restrictions than SIUC.
SIUC policy says students must obtain permission to demonstrate outside the Free Forum Area, located by Anthony Hall, and they are strongly encouraged to notify the administration 24 hours in advance of any demonstration.
SIUC student Marc Torney has been charged by the administration for violating this policy. He and other students gathered March 19 near the Student Center to protest the U.S. military presence in Iraq. He organized a "Die In," where students lay on the ground as Torney passed out flyers against the war.
Torney said previously he chose to protest at the Student Center because of the lack of student traffic by the Free Forum Area due to the north pedestrian bridge under construction.
He was charged with disobedience, disorderly conduct and "violations of other duly promulgated University policies or regulations, including but not limited to: demonstrations," according to the notification letter mailed to Torney.
Supporters of Torney gathered in the Free Forum Area April 21 with duct tape over their mouths and marched to Morris Library protesting the regulations.
Bonnie Barker, public information specialist for Western, said students were previously restricted to demonstrate in front of the university union and had to request permission. Since the restriction has been lifted, the university has had no problems with disruptive protests.
She said the university president was receptive to the suggestion for change.
"I can't put it in his words, but he said something to the effect of what better place than a university to exercise the opportunity of free speech," Barker said.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, a committee hearing of the U.S. Senate last October dealt with the issues of free speech on university campuses. Senators said many policies were too broad and included free-speech zones that could be interpreted to stifle students' right to protest and express their views.
Robin Kaler, spokeswoman for the University of Illinois, said the university does not limit free speech on its campus.
"Our campus is a free-speech zone," Kaler said. "We have some [areas] that you can reserve, but we don't say that you're not allowed to be somewhere.
"If students decide they want to walk around and demonstrate, they're not prohibited from doing that so long as they don't endanger theirs or others' lives or academic goals or [obstruct building] entrances."
Amplified sound is also prohibited outside the Free Forum Area at SIUC, but Kaler said such noise restrictions are not uncommon for universities and cities out of respect for those who live and work there.
The Eastern Illinois University Student Conduct Code allows students similar free reign in expressing their opinions on a cause.
"Students and student organizations may examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and express opinion publicly as well as privately," said Eastern's website. "They may support causes by lawful means which do not disrupt the operations of the university or the operations of organizations authorized to use university facilities."
Vicki Woodard, spokeswoman for the university, said demonstrations at Eastern have not been an issue, and people are free to protest wherever they choose.
"There may have been some things last spring in front of Old Main on the main highway in Charleston, but that's very common for any kind of group, like those with a union or student issue. That seems to be a common gathering place for those groups who are concerned with an issue," Woodard said. "I've never heard of anyone having to get specific permission."
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Daily Egyptian Spring 04 
