[Peace-discuss] [Fwd: Re: Leafletters removed from Undergraduate library December 8]

[Karen Medina]

Dear Peace Discuss,

I wrote to the Acting University Librarian about the ISO on campus being 
asked to stop leafleting in the foyer of the Undergraduate Library. 
Below is her response...

Evidently, the Campus Police are not aware of the Student Code that 
allows students to hand out leaflets without prior approval. This lack 
of awareness was a problem that Counter Recruitment noticed as well, if 
I am correct in understanding what people have said.

-karen medina

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Leafletters removed from Undergraduate library December 8
Date: Sun, 17 Dec 2006 15:48:48 -0600 (CST)
From: Karen Schmidt <karens at uiuc.edu>
To: Karen Medina <kmedina at uiuc.edu>

Dear Karen,

Thanks for writing.  Some of the points you make do not reflect what 
happened, and I want to be sure that everyone who is concerned about 
this has the right information.  Please bear with me, as I think it is 
important to get the right information out:

1.	the students were not acting according to RSO policy, which requires 
an RSO to get approval for any event, including setting up a table or 
distributing literature. The students had approval to set up their event 
in the Illini Union, they chose to set it up in the Undergraduate Library.
2.	Library policy specifically prohibits the distribution by patrons of 
non-library literature. This is part of our posted Patron Conduct policy.
3.	when asked to identify themselves, the students refused.
4.	no-one was removed from Undergrad. When the students were told that 
they had not set up their table in accord with University policy, they 
refused to leave. Our staff did believe that the group was impeding 
entrance and exit from the library, and asked the group to move along. 
The student organization would not identify itself or any of the 
students who were there, and would not leave.  I talked to Campus Police 
to verify protocol, and was told that RSOs did need to be registered, 
could not "set up shop" and had to register their distribution of 
literature event with the RSO office.  Our staff member then came to 
talk to Library Admin to consult with us about next steps, but could not 
reach us (we were in various meetings.) By the time he returned, the 
students had left of their own accord.

Our posted policy on Sign Posting states specifically that any posting 
of signs (a form of distributing literature) must be approved by the 
Library.   The Library and especially the Undergraduate Library is an 
incredibly busy place and our Library policies reflect those of the 
campus as well as our interest in making sure that we are providing a 
space that is conducive to research and study.  You will know as a GSLIS 
student that we are completely wedded to the idea of freedom of speech 
and the fair exchange of ideas – these principles are our bedrock. 
Nevertheless in a campus community of some 40,000 we also have an 
obligation to provide library spaces that can meet our principal mission.

We have been in touch with the Dean of Students Office and others 
regarding the use of the plaza space for literature distribution, in 
response to requests from students, and are working to clarify the 
language in campus policy.


---- Original message ----
>Date: Sat, 16 Dec 2006 20:44:49 -0600
>From: Karen Medina <kmedina at uiuc.edu>  
>Subject: Leafletters removed from Undergraduate library December 8  
>To: karens at uiuc.edu
>
>Karen Schmidt
>Acting University Librarian
>230 Main Library
>1408 Gregory Drive
>Urbana, IL  61801
>
>Dear Ms. Schmidt,
>
>It has come to my attention that on December 8th, a "librarian" in the 
>Undergraduate Library removed some students who were leafleting in the 
>ground floor shelter of the Undergraduate Library. The library staff 
>person refused to identify himself. The displaced students see the 
>library’s action as a violation of their rights. I am writing to you in 
>the hopes that you can shed some light on the issues.
>
>According to § 2-406 of the Student Handbook, it appears that the 
>students 1) had a right to leaflet.
>"Any individual may post and distribute leaflets, handbills, and other 
>types of materials intended to provide information about sociopolitical 
>or educational issues and events, without prior approval…"
>
>Also according to the Code, the students 2) had a right to leaflet in a 
>foyer of a University building. Under § 2-406 (c) Distribution it says:
>"Distribution of such materials inside University buildings, other than 
>residence halls (see § 2‑405), is permitted in common areas (e.g., 
>foyers, vestibules, or hallways), provided that such distribution does 
>not impede traffic flow or disrupt University business such as classes, 
>laboratories, meetings, or office work…"
>
>The above rules apply to most non-residential University buildings with 
>a short list of exceptions involving ticket-collection points:
>"Buildings hosting performance or athletic activities, such as the 
>Assembly Hall, Foellinger, Huff Hall, Krannert Center, or Memorial 
>Stadium, do not allow distribution of such materials past the turnstile 
>or ticket-collection point during those activities. The agencies in 
>charge of these buildings are responsible for implementation and 
>enforcement of this policy and questions regarding it should be directed 
>to them."
>
>Could you shed some light on why the students were displaced? Thank you 
>very much for your time, and I regret having to approach you on such an 
>issue.
>
>Sincerely,
>Karen E. Medina
>Ph.D. student in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science
>kmedina at uiuc.edu
>
Karen Schmidt
Acting University Librarian
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
230 Library
1408 West Gregory Drive
Office: 217-333-0790
Fax: 217-244-4358
e-mail: karens at uiuc.edu