thefire.org

Citrus College: Compulsory Anti-War Speech

A Citrus College professor had compelled undergraduate students to write anti-war letters to President George W. Bush, penalizing the grades of students who dissented or refused to send the letters. After FIRE intervened, the Citrus College administration repudiated this outrage and resolved all issues in favor of freedom of conscience.

Case Materials

• "FIRE's Thor Halvorssen on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor," Fox News The O'Reilly Factor, March 14, 2003
• "FIRE on MSNBC Reports with Joe Scarborough," MSNBC Reports, March 11, 2003
• "Victory for Freedom of Conscience at Citrus College; Coerced Student Anti-War Letters Repudiated by Administration," March 7, 2003: A Citrus College professor had compelled undergraduate students to write anti-war letters to President George W. Bush-penalizing the grades of students who dissented or refused to send the letters. FIRE intervened. The Citrus College administration, working closely with FIRE, repudiated this outrage and resolved all issues in favor of freedom of conscience.
• "Letter from Citrus College President Louis E. Zellers to FIRE, March 7, 2003," March 7, 2003

Blog Entries

• "This Month in FIRE History: Victory for Freedom of Conscience at Citrus College; Coerced Student Anti-War Letters Repudiated by Administration," by Claire Jenkins, March 13, 2009

Media Coverage

• "Protesting for Extra Credits,"
  , Front Page Magazine, April 18, 2003
• "Controversy prompts national attention,"
  by C.M. Gatson, The Clarion (Citrus College), March 19, 2003
• "The weak against the thong,"
  by Suzanne Fields, The Washington Times, March 17, 2003
• "Seebach: Students needn't submit meekly to colleges' whims,"
  by Linda Seebach, The Rocky Mountain News, March 15, 2003
• "Professor requires anti-war action,"
  by Megan Sullivan, The Review (University of Delaware), March 14, 2003
• "Glendora college instructor placed on leave over anti-war letters,"
  by Gail Schiller, The Associated Press, March 13, 2003
• "Meese to Universities: Let's Have Diversity of Thought,"
  by Wes Vernon, Newsmax, March 12, 2003
• "Anti-war professor violated students' rights,"
  by Audrey Hudson, The Washington Times, March 11, 2003
• "Assignments get teacher in trouble,"
  by Terry Webster, The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, March 11, 2003
• "Banned Books, Slavery, Hooters, Language,"
  by Scott Norvell, FOXNews, March 10, 2003
• "Citrus College Will Sanction Instructor Accused of Giving Extra Credit for Letters Opposing War,"
  by Lawrence Biemiller, The Chronicle for Higher Education, March 10, 2003
• "College to apologize to Bush for professor,"
  by Lou Marano, United Press International, March 8, 2003
• "Instructor Placed on Leave Over Letters,"
  by Rebecca Trounson, The Los Angeles Times, March 8, 2003