University of Texas, Students Resolve Situation Surrounding Political Speech

Hurrah! (0.00 / 0)

Good job guys. You fought the man and toppled the ridiculous rule!  

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by: tbobmccoy @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 12:21:51 PM CDT

Excellent (5.00 / 1)

Great to see the University realize that their strong-arm tactics weren't working.

Now we should focus on how to have a productive, pragmatic conversation on the issue...

Now, a very great man once said that some people rob you with a fountain pen.

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by: Phillip Martin @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 12:48:55 PM CDT

Glad to see the University back down. (0.00 / 0)

Perhaps they are a somewhat reasonable after all.  Now it's time to have a more conciliatory and less confrontational discussion no the subject.

"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."- James A. Baldwin

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by: Timothy @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 13:31:55 PM CDT

Email from the President to the student body (0.00 / 0)

The University's rule prohibiting the display of signs in students' residence hall room windows has been the subject of a great deal of discussion for the past few days. I am keenly aware that this prohibition is of intense concern to many members of the student body, as well as the larger community. I believe that the free expression of ideas is crucial to our educational mission, and that our rules should foster civil discourse and debate.  I conclude, therefore, that this rule should be carefully reviewed with the participation of all constituencies in The University of Texas at Austin community, including students.

Effective immediately, I am suspending the prohibition on signs in individual students' residence hall room windows and any sanctions related to its enforcement. The rule will be removed today from the Division of Housing and Food Service's rules, and will be replaced with an interim regulation that expressly allows the display of signs and posters in students' residence hall room windows.

Juan Gonzalez, Vice President for Student Affairs, has kept me well informed on this issue. I have asked him to convene a committee composed of all major constituencies to discuss all aspects of the policy on residence hall room signs and make recommendations on any changes that need to be made. The interim rule allowing signage in individual students' residence hall room windows will remain in place until the committee issues its report and I act upon their recommendations.

William Powers, Jr.
President

"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually."- James A. Baldwin

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by: Timothy @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 14:07:59 PM CDT

Congratulations to Connor and Blake (0.00 / 0)

Woohoo!!

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by: sonia @ Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 14:34:28 PM CDT