Table of Contents
FIRE’s Mitchell in the Harrisburg ‘Patriot-News’
An important column by FIRE Program Officer Charles Mitchell appears today in the Harrisburg Patriot-News. In response to Rep. Dan Surra’s comment that the Pennsylvania Legislature’s Select Committee on Student Academic Freedom, a committee on which Surra serves, is a “colossal waste of time,” Charles argues for the necessity of the committee. He highlights three Pennsylvania public institutions with unconstitutional speech codes, including Penn State, Surra’s alma mater.
Charles writes:
Policies like Penn State’s, Lincoln’s and IUP’s are widespread at Pennsylvania’s public universities. That makes one wonder why Surra thinks a committee investigating violations of academic freedom is such a waste of time.
He concludes:
There is nothing liberal, conservative or otherwise about making sure that Pennsylvania's public universities stop sticking the First Amendment in the nearest paper shredder.The sooner the academic establishment and its allies in the Legislature realize that, the sooner we can have some real reform. Anything less ought to be considered a scandal in the state where the Constitution was written and the Liberty Bell still resides.
The committee meets for its next two-day hearing on Monday, January 9, and Tuesday, January 10, at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Recent Articles
FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.
Good day for freedom of expression and rule of law at Supreme Court
Government coercion goes down 9-0 as Supreme Court ruled in favor of the National Rifle Association and against the state of New York.
Pledge allegiance or else: Maryland public school forces students and teachers to salute the flag
FIRE demanded that a public elementary school in Maryland retract its unconstitutional guidance that students and staff must stand and salute the U.S. flag during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Broad ‘friend of the court’ support pours into Supreme Court for citizen journalist Priscilla Villarreal
Over 40 individuals, civil liberties groups, and media organizations submit 13 amicus briefs in support of freedom of the press and constitutional accountability.
In big win for campus free speech, Harvard won’t issue statements on hot-button social and political issues
The policy change could spark similar reforms throughout higher education. Where Harvard leads, others follow.