University of Alabama: Faculty Senate ‘Hate Speech’ Resolution
The University of Alabama (UA) Student Senate passed a "free speech" resolution that directly opposes a "hate speech" resolution previously passed by UA's Faculty Senate. The students' move comes after close consultation with the FIRE, and the resolution follows an open letter FIRE sent to the UA community to protest the faculty's proposed regulations. After UA's Faculty Senate resolution condemning hate speech, FIRE wrote an open letter to UA in opposition to the hate speech resolution reminding UA that the policy restrictions were unconstitutional and recommended the Faculty Senate rescind the resolution. Heeding FIRE's advice, the Student Senate unanimously passed a resolution in support of free speech, demonstrating that many individuals on campuses still believe in upholding free speech despite the possibility of offense.
- "University of Alabama Student Senate (2004-2005) Resolution #R-98-04," February 28, 2005
- "Students Fight Back: Free Speech Resolution Targets Faculty Push for Speech Code," February 28, 2005: In a remarkable display of intellectual independence and moral courage, the University of Alabama (UA) Student Senate last week passed a "free speech" resolution that directly opposes a "hate speech" resolution passed by UA's Faculty Senate last fall. The students' resolution, which urges the UA administration and faculty "to adopt policies that explicitly protect free speech for all students at the University of Alabama," comes after close consultation with FIRE and follows an open letter FIRE sent to the UA community to protest the faculty's proposed regulations.
- "FIRE's Open Letter to the University of Alabama Community," November 11, 2004
- "FIRE Protests So-Called "Hate Speech" Resolution at University of Alabama," November 11, 2004: Freedom of expression is once again under assault at the University of Alabama (UA). In September, the UA Faculty Senate passed a resolution that threatens to severely restrict free expression on this public campus by regulating speech in approved university activities and contractually restricting outside speakers whose speech might be deemed to be “demeaning.” Yesterday, FIRE submitted an open letter protesting this policy to hundreds of members of the UA community.
- "University of Alabama Faculty Senate "Hate Speech" Resolution," November 11, 2004
Case Materials
- "10 great cigars and why I smoked them,"
by Mike Adams, Townhall.com, June 13, 2005 - "An illiberal left,"
by Anthony Dick, The Cavalier Daily, March 15, 2005 - "Students Frown on UA Faculty's Free-Speech Shutdown Attempt,"
by Jim Brown, Agape Press, March 3, 2005 - "Speech resolution draws ire,"
by Marlin Caddell, The Crimson White, November 15, 2004