Yesterday, October 2, students and faculty at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign held a rally to show support for the presidential campaign of Barack Obama. In addition to showing their support, the goal was to show that the faculty will not follow guidelines issued by the university that
bar them from rallies or wearing political buttons on campus. (See the Chicago Tribune for great report on the event).
Per the article, the university says it isn’t enforcing the guidelines, which
it says are required by state law.
I admit that bothers me more than the predictable reaction of the professors. Why tell your employees about a rule if you aren't planning to enforce it! That is CYA hypocrisy at its best. If someone complains about the violations the state will point to the rules - "gee guys, not our problem if those independent thinkers at the college don't want to follow the rules". The university will then say it is "working with the state to clarify their intention". A perfect dance trying to have it both ways!
As I predicted in my September 24, 2008 Blog, the professors say that the guidelines
unreasonably limit their freedom of expression: 
"They're trying to control our bodies and our voices any time we're on
campus. These policies are clearly a violation of our 1st Amendment
rights," said Dan Colson, an English graduate student who, along with
other students, professors and free-speech experts, has lashed out. Colson and others argue the University of Illinois was unfairly
expanding state law.
Here is the phrase from Colson that summarizes this and other debates on what laws should we PRIVATE citizens and businesses follow that ACADEMICS should not. Per Colson:
" . . . that academic freedom meant campus communities
should not be held to the same standards as other state employees."
I appreciate the need for "academic freedom" as the daugher of a retired college dean but no offense guys, I need freedom in my business too! But I am NOT allowed to say and do things that you are allowed to say and do at your workplace. I cannot voice or demonstrate my personal feelings on many social and political issues because it is often ILLEGAL.
Per the State of Illinois, you have been notified your "workplace" has rules on endorsing candidates that jepoardizes the workplace's tax-free basis. Yet you have decided you know best and will not follow those policies. I see your point and I agree and I disagree.
You have the right of free speech BUT you give up some of that freedom in exchange for a job. I agree that there needs to be a more flexible standard on campus to allow for frank exchanges in a classroom on topics of concern. However, I do not see that as being extended to a PERSONAL demonstration of support as in a rally or wearing a button until you leave the workplace.
This is an important issue that needs to be discussed. Where is the line between academic speech and unlimited speech exist for a college campus and ITS EMPLOYEES? Where is that line compared to my freedom of speech in my workplace?
And even more importantly, should professors be allowed to flout the rules and policies of their employer (the taxpayer in this case since this is a STATE university)? Should they be allowed to do things you and I cannot simply because of where they work and what they do? Should "academic freedom" be so broad that they can break the law with impunity compared to you and I?
Let's chat! I want everyone's opinion - colleges and private citizens.
