Wisconsin Free Speech Bill - UW Campuses (1 Viewer)

[Man in the yellow hat]

In light of all the protests and violence surrounding college campuses, I find this bill extremely interesting.

Bill - http://legis.wisconsin.gov/assembly/59/kremer/media/1316/17-2408_1.pdf

"The policy must contain statements regarding the following: 1) that the primary function of an institution is the discovery, improvement, transmission, and dissemination of knowledge; 2) that it is not the proper role of an institution to shield individuals from speech protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; 3) that students and faculty have the freedom to discuss any problem as permitted by the First Amendment and within specified limits; 4) that any person lawfully present on campus may protest or demonstrate, but that protests and demonstrations that interfere with the expressive rights of others are subject to sanction; 5) that campuses are open to invited speakers; 6) that public areas are public forums and open on the same terms to any speaker; and 7) that institutions must remain neutral on public policy controversies."

It all seems reasonable to me. It allows for protest to happen and be protected speech, but swiftly punishes those that would incite violence. It allows speakers to come to campus and present different ideas. Anyone have thoughts on this?

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

The seventh provision strikes me as problematic.  Must the University of Michigan remain neutral over the question of whether to allow affirmative action?  That would be weird. 

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

The seventh provision strikes me as problematic.  Must the University of Michigan remain neutral over the question of whether to allow affirmative action?  That would be weird. 

Yes, that is the one that struck as a possible overreach. 

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

If passed, I give this bill 18 months before its sponsors try to repeal it after a bunch of NAMBLA activists set up on the quad in Madison. 

 

[Eephus]

Yes, that is the one that struck as a possible overreach. 

Especially because Ann Arbor isn't even in Wisconsin

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I would support my institution if it drafted a policy like this.  I would not support having my state legislature mandate such a policy.  Universities have been their own worst enemies lately and are inviting intrusive micro-management.  

 

[CletiusMaximus]

It all seems reasonable to me. It allows for protest to happen and be protected speech, but swiftly punishes those that would incite violence. It allows speakers to come to campus and present different ideas. Anyone have thoughts on this?

Its not so much about preventing violence, but more aimed at the annoying but common experience of students "shouting down" an invited speaker.  I honestly don't understand it, but it seems University groups love to bring in controversial speakers, knowing they will spark huge protests - like Ann Coulter at Berkeley recently.  I recall many many years ago as a student in Madison I went to see a controversial conservative Israeli speak - Meier Kahane - and he never got started due to the shouting protesters, who were so outraged by the speaker they didn't want to allow him a chance to speak.

I guess I don't care that much about it, but agree with IK that I'd prefer if the University itself were promulgating this type of policy, rather than having it thrust on them by a politically-motivated legislature.  The text itself was drafted by a right/libertarian think tank somewhere and seems, more than anything else, aimed to please non-students who are angered by this sort of silly behavior that college kids engage in.  It seems to me, as silly as this behavior is, that "shouting down" a controversial speaker is every bit as much free speech as is the speakers own presentation.