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JSU Associate Provost Marcus Chanay said the university revised its policies in response to FIRE’s recommendations. Jackson State, Ole Miss and Delta State policies were featured in 20.
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"That’s not to say anyone would ever do that, but the University of Mississippi has a long way to go on its Internet usage policy," he said.Ĭrisp also reports on the way in which FIRE’s work has resulted in positive policy reform on at least one state campus:įIRE highlights what it deems as particularly bad policies through its "speech code of the month" feature on the group’s website. "Under this policy, you can’t send out an e-mail saying ‘Come to our ethnic studies meeting’ because that would be racially or ethnically motivated," Kissel said.Īs another example, he said it could allow administrators to keep certain groups, like the Black Student Union or international student groups, from sending mass e-mails to members. The policy also bans "racially (or) ethnically motivated" communication. "So, I can’t write an e-mail that says ‘I hate the Democrats’ or even ‘I hate people who send threatening e-mails’ ?" Kissel said. The University of Mississippi’s Internet usage policy bans any any "hateful" communication. The University of Southern Mississippi’s student handbook restricts "expression of profanity, which exceeds the normal standards of decency prevailing in the general Hattiesburg community at large," which could set up a situation like the one at Hinds.Īlcorn State bans "excessive physical annoyance" by anyone on campus or at any Alcorn-related event – meaning rowdy football fans could be accused of harassment under some interpretations. "Unfortunately, the administrators sometimes use their power to shut down one side of the case."Īssisted by FIRE’s Adam Kissel, who was interviewed for the article, Crisp reviews the implications of some of the state colleges’ vague policies: "Students want to be able to advocate their position on the issues," Kissel said. Many of the complaints deal with students who have been prevented from expressing their views on controversial issues such as abortion, gay marriage or affirmative action. Speaking freely outside so-called "free-speech zones" on most of the campuses could get students in trouble, even though a federal court has deemed that unconstitutional.Īdam Kissel, of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, said the nonprofit group hears from hundreds of college students across the country each year who believe their rights have been violated. Jackson State students could be punished for unsolicited flirting. Students at Mississippi universities may have to watch what they say more than those in other states because of policies that free-speech advocates say are oppressive.Īt Ole Miss, someone could theoretically get in trouble for sending an e-mail about how much they "hate" rival Mississippi State. Spurred by FIRE’s recent victory at nearby Hinds Community College, reporter Elizabeth Crisp writes: In today’s edition of The Clarion-Ledger, the Jackson, Mississippi newspaper reports on speech codes maintained at public colleges statewide. In Mississippi, ‘The Clarion-Ledger’ Reports on Dangers of State Colleges’ Speech Codes