Members Named to Group to Assess SA, GSO Concerns on Free Speech

Four students, a faculty member and a staff member have been appointed to a new working group to consider revisions to the University’s Computer and Electronic Policy that will address concerns regarding free speech across campus.

Chancellor Kent Syverud announced the creation of the working group last month in response to resolutions passed last fall by the University’s Student Association and Graduate Student Organization.

The action was taken to address the student government groups’ belief that certain language in the current policy “is vague, overly broad and subjective, which restricts expression and stifles academic freedom by prohibiting the discussion of controversial yet important political, social and economic issues that form the basis of legitimate academic debate.”

In February, David Rubin, professor of communications and dean emeritus of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, accepted the appointment to lead the working group.

The other members of the working group are the following:

• undergraduate students Janine Bogris ’18 and Margaux Pavesi ’18, both students with the Newhouse School, who were appointed by the Student Association
• graduate students Amy Burnette of the College of Arts and Sciences and Zach Greenberg of the College of Law, who were appointed by the Graduate Student Association
• Crystal Bartolovich, associate professor of English, and James Duah-Agyeman, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, who were appointed by the University Senate

The working group is charged with reviewing the issues raised in the resolutions and making recommendations to the Chancellor.

In their resolutions, the student governing bodies have asked for more specific wording that is less restrictive of speech and more accurately reflects the University’s commitment to freedom of expression, with the goal of enhancing “academic freedom and the quality of education.”