University of Miami: Refusal to Approve Conservative Student Group
Students at the University of Miami were initially denied recognition four times when they tried to create an organization for "the exposition and promotion of conservative principles and ideas." The proposed group, Advocates for Conservative Thought or ACT applied consistently for recognition to the Committee on Student Organizations (COSO), which UM has authorized to act in these matters. The COSO argued that the College Republicans already offered a conservative voice on campus and that there already was a neutral forum on campus for political debate. ACT contacted FIRE, who sent a letter to UM President Donna E. Shalala informing her of this violation of the right to association. Shalala soon overruled COSO's actions and ACT was finally able to become an approved student group.
Case Materials
"Victory for Equality and Free Speech at the University of Miami," FIRE Press Release, May 8, 2003: Last Friday, FIRE launched a national media campaign drawing attention to censorship and double standards at the University of Miami (UM). Within hours, UM retreated. Today, a student group that unfairly had been denied approval is an officially registered organization.
"University of Miami Rejects Conservative Student Group," FIRE Press Release, May 2, 2003: The University of Miami (UM) repeatedly has refused to approve a student group dedicated to the promotion of conservative philosophy and ideas. The administration, fully aware of the situation, has permitted an unconscionable double standard.
"No Myth: Conservatives in Academia Suffer Discrimination," Mark Finkelstein, The Cornell Daily Sun, October 15, 2004: In a recent Sun column, ("Reclaim Your Victimhood," Sept. 24), Danny Pearlstein, skeptical of the notion that conservatives in academia suffer discrimination, challenged conservatives "to send me concrete instances" of such. As the French would say, "chiche!" -- dare accepted.
