A UO History Lesson: Free Speech on Campus
http://www.oregoncommentator.com/2010/04/28/a-uo-history-lesson-free-speech-on-campus/
by Lyzi Diamond
4/28/10
In honor of EMU Director Dusty Miller's retirement (see an interview
with him in today's ODE), I have been reading A Common Ground, a book
by EMU Director Emeritus Adell McMillan about the first 50 years of
the EMU's history. In addition to lots of fun information about the
building and surrounding culture, the book talks a lot about the ASUO
and student groups, as the building and the entities that operate
inside it have an inherent connection. I'd like to share something I
found in this book, one of the many gems that are hidden in its pages:
One of the early public incidents involving radical student protest,
occurred in late January 1969 in the EMU when U.S. Navy recruiters
had scheduled table space to hand out literature and talk with
interested students. According to [Richard C.] Reynolds[, Director of
the Erb Memorial Union], a notice had been placed in the Oregon Daily
Emerald that a "mock trial" would be held in the building during this
time where students would try the recruiters for war atrocities.
Radical students approached the table and put ona guerilla theater
type trial that lasted for 45 to 50 minutes. Most of that group left
and then a student "spontaneously attacked the table; doing damage
and assaulting the recruiters." . . . bit by bit the students told
[University President] Johnson what had happened: the Navy recruiters
had been manhandled and literally ejected by force and the protesters
had burned the recruiter's literature and the Navy flag.
The next part is the best part. I call it proof that the ASUO Senate,
once upon a time, had balls.
The ASUO Senate took a strong position in opposition to the actions
against the recruiters and passed a bill, titled "Free Inquiry and
the Eviction of Military Naval Recruiters," that stated:
WHEREAS: This University has repeatedly upheld the principles of free
expression and free inquiry.
WHEREAS: Free inquiry is so vital to this University and any university.
WHEREAS: No man or group of men should sit in judgement upon and
thereby limit or restrict ideas of another man or group of men.
WHEREAS: The recent forceful eviction of U.S. Naval recruiters from
the Erb Memorial Student Union was a violation of and great discredit
to these traditions of free expression and free inquiry.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: The ASUO Senate condemns the actions
taken by those involved in the eviction of military recruiters, as
well as any other action taken by anyone to curtail the free exchange of ideas.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The ASUO Senate proudly reaffirms the
University of Oregon's belief in freedom of expression and free
inquiry and trusts that the actions taken by an intolerant minority
may not be construed to reflect the official policies and practices
of the University of Oregon.
A free and open exchange of ideas is one of the building blocks of a
legitimate institution of higher education. It is one of a few
delicate factors that are integral to a complete and legitimate
collegiate experience. Higher education is not about the memorization
of facts or getting good grades. It is about learning how to think
critically, hearing different opinions on a variety issues and
becoming a more informed world citizen. By silencing speech and ideas
of those entities which we find offensive, we are "sitting in
judgment upon" fellow members of our world community and working
directly in opposition to the goals of higher education institutions.
The importance of free speech on campus is something the 1968-69 ASUO
Senate knew very well, and it's something for which the University
community of 2010 should continue to fight. I tend to have a large
amount of faith in my fellow students at this university. The ability
to think critically on the issue of free speech is something that all
of us are capable of.
In the words of John Stuart Mill, "If all mankind minus one were of
one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one
person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
.
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