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Michigan State University: Program of Thought Reform

Case Materials

• "Victory for Freedom of Conscience," May 3, 2007: After months of public pressure, Michigan State University (MSU) has ended its controversial Student Accountability in Community (SAC) program. FIRE urged MSU to end the SAC program because it forced students whose speech or behavior was deemed unacceptable to undergo ideological reeducation, or else face effective expulsion. If MSU decides to resuscitate this program of reeducation and compelled speech, FIRE will be there to make sure the university does not use it to deny students their constitutional rights.
• "MSU Response to FIRE President Greg Lukianoff, April 17, 2007," April 17, 2007
• "FIRE Response to Michigan State University Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Lee N. June, March 29, 2007," March 29, 2007
• "MSU Response to FIRE President Greg Lukianoff, March 7, 2007," March 7, 2007
• "FIRE Response to Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon, February 22, 2007," February 22, 2007
• "Michigan State University Engaged in Thought Reform," December 14, 2006: Today, FIRE is publicly challenging Michigan State University to dismantle its Student Accountability in Community (SAC) program. The Orwellian SAC program, which forces students whose speech or behavior is deemed unacceptable by the university to undergo ideological reeducation at their own expense, is immoral, unconstitutional, and poses a profound threat to the freedom of speech and the right of private conscience of every Michigan State student.
• "Letter from Michigan State University Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Lee N. June to FIRE, December 6, 2006," December 6, 2006
• "FIRE Letter to Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon, November 20, 2006," November 20, 2006
• "SAC 'Power and Control Wheel'," October 11, 2002
• "SAC Presentation: 'How to Increase Student Accountability in Your Campus Community'," February 1, 2002
• "Student Accountability in Community Seminar: Faculty and Staff Guide," February 1, 2002

Media Coverage

• "Rights group tells MSU to improve,"
  by Kristi Jourdan, The State News, April 5, 2007
• "MSU responds to group’s criticism,"
  by Kristi Jourdan, The State News, March 20, 2007
• "MSU pursues Orwellian thought reform,"
  by Greg Lukianoff, The Detroit News, February 7, 2007
• "Orwellian dystopia at Michigan State,"
  by Luke Sheahan, Family Security Matters, December 18, 2006
• "MSU blocks free speech, group says,"
  by Peggy Walsh-Sarnecki, Detroit Free Press, December 15, 2006