The Sentinel

Issue date: 1/22/09 Section: Commentary

As the largest university in the nation, one could only hope that The Ohio State University would be an open canvas for academic and intellectual exchange, as well as a free zone for sharing opinions, ideas, and values. However, according to the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), Ohio State is preventing such an open environment from existing. According to its website, TheFIRE.org, FIRE works to "defend and sustain individual rights at America's colleges and universities." Some of the rights mentioned are freedom of speech, due process, and legal equality, "the essential qualities of individual liberty and dignity." Unfortunately, Ohio State has earned a "red-light" classification from FIRE, identifying the school as having at least one policy which violates freedom of speech.

In support of the red-light classification, FIRE specifically identified the university's "Diversity Statement" as a clear violation of freedom of speech. Selected in September of 2007 as FIRE's Speech Code of the Month, FIRE reported on the explicit regulations that are detailed in the Diversity Statement which, not only cross the line in terms of constitutionality, but are also self-defeating, if indeed they are meant to actually encourage diversity.

The first grievance which FIRE cites is a section of the Diversity Statement which at the time read "Do not joke about differences related to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, ability, socioeconomic background, etc." Considering the ramifications of this instruction, it seems preposterous that only a year or two ago the university commanded that its student body refrain from joking about controversial matters. As FIRE points out, and as Ohio State students already know, joking in a certain manner about brash and seemingly offensive topics often diffuses tense situations and can aid in fostering understanding and communication between different students. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with OSU as to whether or not making jokes is a malevolent behavior, the policy still treads on first amendment rights. FIRE makes the point that "There is no exception to the First Amendment for ethnic jokes or dumb blonde jokes."

Another violation that the organization lists against Ohio State is also pulled from the Diversity Statement. In 2007, it stated that "Words, actions, and behaviors that inflict or threaten infliction of bodily or emotional harm, whether done intentionally or with reckless disregard, are not permitted." In an anecdotal manner, FIRE points out the ridiculousness behind this instruction. The foundation argues "How exactly does one threaten to inflict emotional harm? Would that mean shouting, "Hey you! Get out of here or I'm going to hurt your feelings…"? When highlighted this way, one can see how it would be extremely hard to explain what the university's housing department was trying to say. It seems absurd to imagine such a situation being punishable, but luckily the Diversity Statement has been rewritten since FIRE's investigation. The new statement is far more pragmatic, and offers a more ethical, and constitutional set of guidelines for creating a safe environment on campus.

Continued...

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