A flyer for a debate on free speech got me called into the dean's office

This was back in my junior year at a state school in Ohio. I helped make a simple flyer for a campus debate club event. The topic was 'Should all ideas get a hearing on campus?' We put them up on the bulletin boards in the student union. Two days later, I got an email from the Dean of Students asking me to come in. They said the flyer 'created a harmful environment' because it suggested some views currently not allowed might have value. They made me take every single one down, over 50 copies. The person I spoke to told me, 'We have to think about the impact, not just the intent.' It felt like we couldn't even ask the question. Has anyone else had a club event shut down before it even started for something like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

emma7686d ago

Honestly, what is even allowed to be asked anymore? Tbh it reminds me of when my friend tried to start a film club showing classic movies. They said the old films could have outdated messages and they made him submit a list for approval first. It got so annoying he just quit. Feels like the goal is just to avoid any possible complaint, even if it means shutting down normal stuff.

the_oliver6d ago

Man, that's so frustrating. I've been there with club flyers getting flagged. Next time, run the exact wording by the student activities office first and get an approval email. It's a pain, but having that paper trail protects you. They can't claim it created a harmful environment later if they already signed off on it. If they refuse to approve a basic question about free speech, then you have a much clearer case to take to a higher up.