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September 1994

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Subject:
From:
Julie Friedline <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 10 Sep 1994 16:19:04 -0500
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Yet another update from Iowa:
 
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 1994 12:23:35 -0500
From: Norman Clark <[log in to unmask]>
To: Multiple recipients of list COMGRADS
     <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Rally at Iowa for Free Speech
 
Once Again, thanks to all who have been sending notes of support.  And
once again, appologies if you've seen this note already.  And ONCE AGAIN,
please forward this message to appropriate lists.  Spread the word!
 
For those unaware of the situation to date, here's a synopsis.  The
University of Iowa regents and president have imposed a policy stating
that any "unusual and unexpected material" be warned about in
classrooms.  This policy was begun in response to two student complaints
against watching movies depicting homosexual lifestyles.  But with the
new policy, the potential restriction on academic freedom goes beyond gay
issues (important enough to warrant protest on their own).  ANY and ALL
subjects can be considered unusual and unexpected, and warning students
that they will be "exposed" to such material stigmatizes the content of
any and all information that might be slightly controversial.  CAF has
been protesting this policy, and now has been categorically denied
permission by Dean Jones to hold rallies in the center of campus, or set
up a literature table, or use bullhorns/microphones.
 
Thursday afternoon CAF held a rally in front of Phillips Hall, a building
in which 80% of the faculty have signed a petition denouncing the
policy.  The building was declared a "policy-free zone."  The rally was
very well attended, and according to the student newspaper "ended
peacefully under the watchful eye of two campus security guards."  Inside
the building, the President and Dean Aiken were at a ceremony
rededicating the building as the new home of the liberal arts (some
departments were moved around).  According to the paper they were
"unfazed" by the protests, and only made brief comic references to the
rally.
 
In Thursday morning's paper, the Vice President for University Relations
Ann Rhodes said that CAF's efforts would have little or no effect, since
"the regents do not intend to REVISIT the issue.  I don't believe anyone
is anxious to REVISIT the issue."
 
Rhodes seems to think that no one wants to revisit the issue?  CAF begs
to differ.  CAF has the signatures of thousands of students on campus who
want to REVISIT this issue to subject it to open debate.  It is not a
settled institution that we pop in to visit now and then, it is a
repressive policy that should be denounced and removed.
 
CAF is doing everything possible to make the INVITATION to revisit the
issue as strong as possible.  Anything you can do to help is
appreciated.  Send mail to the following addresses:
 
President Hunter Rawlings
Office of the President
101 Jessup Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
 
Dean Phillip Jones
Provost Office
114 Jessup Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
e-mail: [log in to unmask] (please forward me any mail
you send to this address in case it is being automatically deleted)
 
Vice President Ann Rhodes
University Relations
101 Jessup Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
 
Thanks again for your help, and stay tuned.  CAF will be declaring
another policy-free building soon.
 
Norman Clark
University of Iowa
[log in to unmask]

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