UC and the Right to be Free of Expressions of Intolerance

[TatinG]

18 - This is the basic concept of the First Amendment. The government and governmental entities cannot decide which speech is allowed and which is not. If a university allows a pro-something rally, then the anti-something rally must be permitted as well. No free society can have the government controlling speech. (with the narrow exceptions of threats, inciting riots, and so forth).

[Vladenschlutte]

The university is not the government nor a government entity.

[Iglooo]

Aren’t State Universities government entities? I know employees are treated as state employees.

[Gator88NE]

@Vladenschlutte It’s rather common for Universities to lose First Amendment lawsuits. Usually the threat of a lawsuit is enough to make them change policy.

https://www.thefire.org/victory-lawsuit-settlement-restores-free-speech-rights-at-dixie-state-u-after-censorship-of-bush-obama-che-flyers/

Dixie State University’s 8,570 students have a special reason to celebrate Constitution Day today after their university agreed to settle a First Amendment lawsuit filed earlier this year by three students. The settlement—finalized today—is the seventh consecutive victory for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education’s (FIRE’s) unprecedented and undefeated Stand Up For Speech Litigation Project.

As part of today’s settlement, Dixie State agreed to revise the campus policies targeted by the lawsuit to meet First Amendment standards. These include the university’s unconstitutional flyer approval process, posting policies, club event policies, and “free speech zone” policy. The university has also agreed to provide training to administrators about the campus’ new speech policies and pay $50,000 in damages and attorney’s fees.

[Gator88NE]

The problem with proposal, is who determines what is “Intolerance”? It’s basically speech that makes one uncomfortable and threaten. For me, that would describe 90% of @Hunt 's post…

[NJres]

I think Nigel Powers said it best (in the film “Austin Powers in Goldmember”) : There’s only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people’s cultures and the Dutch.

[fractalmstr]

The problem with proposal, is who determines what is “Intolerance”? It’s basically speech that makes one uncomfortable and threaten.

^ Exactly.

You can claim intolerance for just about anything. Heck, the proposal itself is essentially intolerance of intolerance!

[TomSrOfBoston]

a few years ago Ann Coulter was scheduled to talk at the University of Ottawa. Many students were outraged and there were on campus protests. Ms. Coulter was accused of hate speech. Her talk/comedy routine was cancelled. The Provost of the university stated that freedom of speech was an American concept.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOP_kbU7XxA
http://www.macleans.ca/education/uniandcollege/coulters-u-of-o-event-canceled/
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=9b0eb50a-62f9-438b-b302-3345550762a5

[Hunt]

Canada does have more limited free speech rights than the United States. Some of Coulter’s past statements may in fact violate Canadian “hate propaganda” prohibitions.