Any thoughts on this story, http://www.cw.ua.edu/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/06/18/3eefd88ca9d3a?in_archive =1?
A new Office of Residential Life policy addressing public displays in residence halls will go into effect this fall, potentially affecting students with flags, posters and pictures hanging in windows or on the doors of their dormitory rooms. According to a draft that Office of Student Judicial Affairs assistant director Mark Foster sent to Byrd Hall professor-in-residence Byron Rush White, the new policy prohibits displays that are "inconsistent with accepted standards or University policies." Examples of prohibited displays include nude pictures or photographs and anything considered "harassing or intimidating." The draft of the policy maintains that while First Amendment rights of expression for students will remain intact, they are encouraged to exercise those rights responsibly. . . . Last week, students living in Byrd Hall, home to the Mallet Assembly, said Res Life officials told them to remove a Confederate flag hanging in the dormitory's second-floor hallway in accordance with the new policy. . . . "They were citing an impending rule that would be in effect this fall," White said. "We refused based on First Amendment rights, and a day later Residential Life dropped the issue." White said he does not believe the rule is a result of the incident at Byrd Hall. "It seems that the root cause is most likely the flags and other displays in the windows at [Mary] Burke Hall," White said. "However, this incident did tip the University's hand as far as the new rule was concerned." . . . [Foster] said Res Life assistant director Allan Guenther and other UA officials will review and revise the initial draft. "What flavor the policy has is still being determined," Foster said. White said he believes the Byrd incident reflects how the University will enforce the new policy. "The incident at Mallet shows us how Residential Life plans to use this rule," he said. "Someone complains, whatever is complained about is declared offensive and the owner must take the display down or face punishment." Foster said violators of the new rule will be punished under the Res Life Code of Conduct. First-time offenders will receive a fine or service-based punishment. Repeat offenders will be charged under Section 4, Article III of the Student Code of Conduct, which states that a violation of published UA policies, such as the Res Life Code of Conduct, is subject to disciplinary sanctions. . . .
