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March 01, 2005

Free Speech, Y'All

From The Volokh Conspiracy comes news of students at my alma mater, the University of Alabama, fighting for their right to free speech:

The Student Senate resolution, sent to UA President Robert Witt and Faculty Senate President John Mason, passed unanimously on February 24, 2005. Authored by Student Senator Pat Samples, the resolution states that "[f]ree speech is absolutely vital to the mission of any university, where new and often controversial ideas must be discussed openly and rationally in order to make advances in knowledge" and proclaims that "[b]y defending free speech for all students, one in no way condones any kind of hate or intolerance; [o]n the contrary, one is promoting tolerance of others despite their differences, especially their differences of opinion." The student resolution also warned that adopting a speech code would be a legal liability for UA and would "greatly tarnish its public image." The resolution's call for free speech for all students directly opposes the Faculty Senate's "hate speech" resolution passed last September.

Exceptions to the necessity for free speech will be made, however, for any fraternity or sorority member who dares to go against The Machine for a slot in the student government.

The great irony of The Machine is that, given that only 25-30% of the student body belongs to a Greek organization, the indepdents could easily sweep each and every student government election if they'd act with even half the unity (and none of the intimidation) of the fraternities/sororities. As it stands, though, the GDIs* are like Dorothy, wandering through Oz, never realizing she's had the power to go home the entire time.

The SGA isn't skewed at Bama simply because the process is flawed, but because the electorate, much like the general American populace, is too apathetic to vote, but very willing to complain.

* Goddamn independents, like yours truly.