Freedom of expression is known to be an intrinsic right for all American citizens; no matter the person, the right to express ones thoughts and beliefs are tolerated even if others do not agree. This notion has been challenged countless times since its inception during this country’s formation more than 229 years ago, and more recently, Ryan Miner, a 19 year-old Duquesne University student was sanctioned by the university for comments he posted on facebook.com.
According to PittsburghChannel.com and The Duquense Duke, the university’s student newspaper, Miner posted anti-gay comments in his “Anti-Gay Straight Alliance” group on the Web site. The article said that a few students filed complaints with the university regarding the remarks and Miner was subsequently found guilty by the university’s Office of Judicial Affairs.
He was ordered to write a 10-page “expository of the viewpoints both for and against homosexuality,” but has refused to comply with his sentence claiming that Duquense, a Catholic institution, should not promote “this gay agenda.”
According to the university’s code of conduct, Miner violated the harassment clause which extends to “off-campus conduct that adversely affects the University community and/or pursuits of its objective and Mission.” Technically, pursuant to the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct, Miner was in violation because of the wording the university chose, extending its jurisdiction beyond campus boarders.
In effect, Duquense University is suppressing its students’ right to free speech by claiming that any inflammatory comments that a few disagree with give just cause and jurisdiction for the university to sanction ideas in the name of the community. The university has gone too far in protecting its students.
Granted, as members of a university, students are seen as representatives of that institution and of the relevant open or closed policies for which they stand. As an institution of higher education, however, the ability of students to “develop a sense of self while defining (one’s) ethical and spiritual values,” as the codebook states one should, is hindered if they do not possess the freedoms granted to every American. Growth without freedom is suppression.
Duquense is wrong to suppress opinion in an open, off-campus forum such as facebook.com. Although some reserve the right to condone Miner’s views, the university should be protecting him from those upset with what he has to say, not silencing him.
