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Students confused about policy

If Larry Ackerman wished to demonstrate, he admits that he is not certain exactly where he would be permitted to do so.

"I don't know, but I imagine wherever it is, that's where it's limited to," said Ackerman, a senior in agricultural technology.

Similar to many individuals on campus, Ackerman is not familiar with the policy that lays out where and when SIUC students can protest. In fact, very few students seem to agree on where and when exactly they may speak out.

Some, such as Ackerman, assume demonstration is limited to an area by the Student Center. Most believe it is limited to the Free Forum Area. Faculty and students cannot seem to agree on where the demonstration policy allows students to protest. They do, however, agree on the primary action exhibited during discussion of the policy- confusion.

As a result of this confusion, a committee has been formed to review and possibly adjust the current policy. In the meantime, individuals seem to agree that whether this changes or remains the same, more students should be aware of what the policy entails.

"There's a lot of confusion about what's actually in the demonstration policy," said Nancy Hunter Pei, assistant to vice chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Larry Dietz. "A lot of people confuse it with solicitation and even the Student Conduct Code. Most people feel that there is nowhere else they can go for free speech except the Free Forum Area."

The issue of the demonstration policy was just one topic that extended from last semester's controversy involving SIUC student Marc Torney. The controversy surrounding Torney's possible expulsion grew to tree-like height, branching out consistently along the way. The policy has caused a fair amount of perplexity along the way as far as what fell under the demonstration policy, what related to the Conduct Code and various other areas.

The demonstration policy on the SIUC campus was last reviewed in 1998. It allows students the right to demonstrate anywhere on campus as long as they have given 24-hour notice.

A different set of rules, however, applies to the Free Forum Area, allowing students to occupy this space without notice and to utilize amplification not permitted elsewhere on campus.

In a letter written by Chancellor Walter Wendler, he addressed several myths that surrounded the demonstration policy and the University's plans to review the current policy. In particular, he noted the possible need for a new Free Forum Area while construction on the pedestrian overpass next to University Park took place. He recognized the fact that the area is not as effective since traffic in the area has decreased dramatically due to construction. He also emphasized that selecting another area, temporarily or not, would require time and consideration.

Wendler suggested to Dietz that a committee be formed to discuss the demonstration policy.

The task force, composed of 13 members from both faculty and students, met for the first time June 28 and will meet again Monday. The group was selected to review the policy and send their collective recommendation as to whether it should be adjusted.

While everyone agrees it to be worthy of discussion, both students and faculty concur that less controversy would exist if more individuals understood the issue.

"Most people aren't aware and they aren't interested," said Undergraduate Student Government President Tequia Hicks.

Hicks said students often do not take the initiative to learn more about the issue. As a member of the task force, Hicks will have to take into consideration issues such as safety and public disturbance, but said she is weary of anything that would further restrict the free speech rights of students.

Student trustee Ed Ford said he was satisfied with the policy as it stands and believes the main issue at hand is that students have little to no understanding of the issue.

"When stuff came up in the spring, the main problem was that no one really knew what the policy was, including people who were thinking about protesting and the people who were enforcing it," said Ford, a doctorate student in educational psychology and human learning.

Ford believes the lack of knowledge concerning demonstration is due to the span of time that has past since demonstration was last a popular issue. Ford said he believes the policy is efficient as is and should not be changed. He said he does not believe enough individuals are aware of the fact that their free speech rights are not limited as long as they adhere to the basic rules as far as disturbance and public safety.

Ford's only concern is what he claims to be a change in the proposal making it mandatory for demonstrators to obtain approval before protesting. According to Ford, doing so would allow the University to deny demonstrators permission, and as a result, limit the right to free speech.

Pei with agreed with Ford that better understanding would result in less frustration over the issue, as well as a possible agreement concerning the issue. Pei views a policy desirable to both students and faculty as attainable since both have a similar opinion as far as restrictions of free speech.

SIUC student Tracy McEvilly is one student with opinions when it comes to the demonstration policy. She said she has taken part in a number of protests off and on campus and believes she is fairly understanding of the rules of demonstration. She also recognizes the fact that many individuals, even University officials, are not.

McEvilly said she believes the best solution for this would be to inform students of the demonstration policy informational settings early in their college career. She suggested programs such as Student Organization and Advisement Registration as possible outlets or even a brief course to inform students of the policy.

Although she sees the main focus as informing students of the policy as it stands, she said she would not mind seeing changes to the policy.

"I think the best thing to do would be to eliminate the Free Forum Area," said McEvilly, a senior in ceramics from Mundelein. "All of campus should be a free forum area because this is a public institution, as long as people do so in an organized fashion and they're not disturbing the public."