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]