A cross-post from CRTnet regarding restrictions on academic freedom--originally sparked by the screening of gay films... ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 7 Sep 1994 10:20:00 EDT From: Tom Benson 814-865-4201 <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list CRTNET <[log in to unmask]> Subject: CRTNET 1035 +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | CRTNET | | | | September 7, 1994 | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Number 1035 | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | COMMUNICATION RESEARCH AND THEORY NETWORK | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Edited by Tom Benson, Penn State University | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = CONTENTS -- -- An Urgent Cry for Help from Iowa! (Norman Clark) = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Tue, 6 Sep 1994 22:12:23 -0500 [sender] "Rhetoric, social movements, persuasion" <[log in to unmask]> [from] Norman Clark <[log in to unmask]> Subject: An Urgent Cry for Help from Iowa! A urgent cry for help from Iowa! If you care at all about politics, free speech, and the right to assembly, YOU MUST READ ON! If you want to support a social movement rather than just write about it. My appologies if you have already read this message. We are not trying to clog your mailbox, but we need to get this message to as many people as possible. If you haven't read this message yet, please read on. If you know of any Usenet groups, Listservs, or other electronic mail groups that would find this message interesting and provoking, please pass it on. And now, on to the repression. At present, a group called the Campaign for Academic Freedom (CAF) at the University of Iowa is fighting a "classroom materials policy." The policy was installed after students complained about being "exposed" to films in classes that depicted homosexual lifestyles. The policy was originally worded BY THE REGENTS to require instructors to inform students about any sexual materials used in classes; the faculty senate removed the reference to sexual materials and this revision was rejected. Pres. Hunter Rawlings, without Faculty Senate approval, added the words "and to give students adequate indication of any unusual or unexpected class presentations or materials." Those of you sensitive to the power of language and rhetoric can probably already see the problem brewing. This policy is a problem for several reasons. First, it arises out of a context in which the words "unusual and unexpected" are used as euphemisms for homosexual content. ALL CASES of complaints have been against graduate instructors, and the drive for the policy was begun by a handful of students complaining about the films "Taxi zum Klo" and "Paris is Burning." Second, it ignores the fact that the ideas that change human history, which the university is supposed to encourage and debate, are unusual and unexpected. We ought to be guaranteeing our students will have to debate this material in our classes. Third, while some might argue it is "common courtesy" to inform students of class content, and not have ideas crammed down their throughts, such an argument misses the point. Students are already free, in fact encouraged, to voice their objections without the policy. Complaint procedures are already on the books. This policy acts as a parentis in locus, "protects" students from controversy and debate, does a disservice to students learning process, and attacks free speech. Fourth, the policy sets a dangerous precedent. Controlling academic discourse was often a way to begin the attack on other freedoms (remember McCarthy? Hitler?). Iowa Civil Liberties Uniion Director Cryss Farley pointed out, "The Regent's policy chills the freedom of the University faculty and students to discuss, debate, question, express ideas, and utilize classroom materials of choice free from political interference. Pre-censorship is the most dangerous of all curtailments of expression." Unfortunately, the University's curtailment of expression has not stopped with the policy. They have continued to limit free speech in even more repressive ways. On August 25, Dean Jones (Associate Provost and Dean of Students) sent a letter to CAF informing them that "effective until September 1, 1995, CAF s hereby prohibited from HOLDING RALLIES ON THE PENTACREST [an central area of campus where debates and rallies have traditionally occured, a site "hallowed" by the University as the penultimate expression of its commitment to free speech and democratic debate] OR PLACING A TABLE OR OTHER STRUCTURE ON THE OPEN GROUNDS OF THE PENTACREST. In the event that CAF places a table on the Pentacrest, EMPLOYS ELECTRONIC SOUND AMPLIFICATION EQUIPMENT ANY PLACE ON CAMPUS without appropriate approval, or otherwise violates University Policy, CAF's recognition may be revoked [we will lose our funding!]. In addition, INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF CAF may be subject to DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS." DO YOU SEE WHAT THIS IS? The University administration is taking away our right to assemble, to debate institutional policy that affects our lives, to free speech, to distribute literature! They are actively suppressing us through threats and intimidation, hoping that a one-year cooling off period will silence us. WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED. According to Dean Jones as quoted in the student newspaper, we have the right to protest as long as it is done in an orderly fashion, at the time and in the place that the University approves. EXCUSE ME, but isn't part of protest the fact that it is SUPPOSED to be disorderly and inconvenient for the powers that be? In light of this, we will be setting up a literature table on the Pentacrest tomorrow, September 7. We will be holding a rally, using the forbidden bullhorn, Thursday Sept. 8. WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need you to flood the Administration with letters or e-mail decrying the Administration's repressive policy, and its active repression of free speech and the right to assembly. Please, take the second or two to send a note to the following addresses: President Hunter Rawlings Jessup Hall University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 Dean Jones 114 Jessup Hall University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 ** E-MAIL : [log in to unmask] *** Your support is vital. Please help. Norman Clark Communication Studies University of Iowa Iowa City, IA 52242 e-mail: [log in to unmask] ======================================================= +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | CRTNET is edited by: | | | | Tom Benson | INTERNET: [log in to unmask] | | Dept. of Speech Communication | BITNET: T3B@PSUVM | | Penn State University | FAX: 814-863-7986 | | 227 Sparks Building | OFFICE: 814-865-4201 | | University Park, PA 16802 USA | HOME: 814-238-5277 | | | DEPT: 814-865-3461 | | | +--------------------------------------------------------------------+ | BACK ISSUES | | Back issues of CRTNET may be obtained from two sources. | | (1) LISTSERV@PSUVM archives CRTNET; if you are able to use | | interactive messaging, try TELL LISTSERV@PSUVM HELP to get | | started; for an index of CRTNET files, try TELL LISTSERV@PSUVM | | INDex CRTNET. 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