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| Our Perspective ...
Free speech zones still not equitable |
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If
you wanted to express your right to free speech at Appalachian State
University last year, the small amphitheatre next to Plemmons Student
Union was the only place to do such.
In that small corner of this ever-growing campus,
you could assemble peacefully without authorization of university
officials.
But as of late August, two more free speech zones (now called Unscheduled
Public Speaking Areas) have been added to the free speech policy.
Now Duck Pond Field and the concrete area surrounding the centennial
sculpture on Sanford Mall are bona fide areas of our First Amendment
rights.
While The Appalachian recognizes this sudden change
of heart as a positive step for the Appalachian campus, we are skeptical
about the limitations still in place. |
According to the policy,
the three areas are on a first-come, first-serve basis unless the
areas have been scheduled in advance.
We were under the impression one of the reasons behind the expansion
was to avoid scheduling conflicts.
So what if the Unscheduled Public Speaking Area is scheduled?
Administrators said it is very unlikely.
Anyone heard of Murphy’s Law?
As for the rest of campus, it’s still off-limits to free speech,
including musicians wishing to play on the mall.
Anyone who has taken or taught a class in Sanford Hall can speak
to the fact that people playing bongo drums or other instruments
on the mall can be disturbing.
There is something much louder and far more disturbing than a bongo
drum on this campus and it seems to be outside every classroom window,
not just Sanford’s.
The sound of jackhammers and large construction vehicles even overwhelm
the student with the bongos.
And what about North Carolina’s Band of Distinction on Saturday
mornings, waking sleepy students up on the west side of campus on
their day off. Is the drum line practicing in front of the Broyhill
Music Center not disturbing to some?
The bottom line is someone will be disturbed by something at some
point.
Dr. Gregory S. Blimling, vice chancellor for Student Development,
told The Appalachian the revision in the policy was to be fair.
“What we want is for students to be able to express themselves,”
he said. “That’s what colleges and universities are all
about.”
If this is what the university is about, why has the amphitheater
been the only free speech zone since 1991, when the former free
speech policy went into effect?
The Appalachian is glad to see students on this campus have more
opportunities to express their First Amendment rights but more is
needed.
Students should be able to peacefully assemble anywhere on this
state-owned campus. That is what we consider fair to all students. |
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