[Peace-discuss] U of I ethics says employees cannot wearpoliticalbuttons

[Randall Cotton]

Oops - too quick on the trigger. The DI Editorial appears below (I forgot
to include it in my first attempt).

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Randall Cotton" <recotton at earthlink.net>
To: <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] U of I ethics says employees cannot
wearpoliticalbuttons


: DI Editorial follows
:
: It seems everyone feels many will disregard the ludicrous, over-reaching
: restrictions and that there will be no enforcement. But as long as the
: original memo is not revoked or amended, I think the chilling effect
: remains.
:
: R

Ethics memo another free speech slight

By: The Daily Illini Editorial Board

Posted: 9/26/08



It is appalling that in the midst of the most important election season in
a generation, the University of Illinois has seen fit to tell thousands of
instructors, employees and students that they may not participate in it.



According to a memo sent out last week to university employees, activities
such as wearing political buttons or attending rallies could constitute a
violation of an ethics policy that was originally intended to prevent
university resources from being used for political purposes.



The memo, strictly interpreted, could be taken as a directive for
university employees - including student employees - to not be politically
active at any time, even off the clock.



Yes, even off the clock.



Whatever message was intended to be sent with this memo has been
overshadowed by an idea that would be thought of as hilariously inept if
it weren't so outrageous.



Professor Cary Nelson, president of the American Association of University
Professors, characterized the University's message as "bullshit." Coming
from an English professor, that says volumes about this memo's total
failure to respect the First Amendment rights of thousands of people.



Quite a message to send, in the opinion of another professor who e-mailed
this page Thursday, especially considering how much time and money has
been invested in "branding" the University lately.



Unfortunately, the University has struggled with free speech issues in
recent years in its attempts to quell disagreement with the decision to
retire Chief Illiniwek and the establishment of the Inclusive Illinois
initiative. However, this memo raises far greater concerns.



The only thing worse than cracking down on unpopular speech is cracking
down on all speech. Ideology or party aside, does this university want to
be known as the one where professors, even in the political science
department, cannot attend political events? Or be known as the one with a
bumper sticker patrol?



Not only could this policy harm the free flow of information inside the
classroom, it deprives students of the necessary skill of learning to deal
with opinions that may be different from their own.



Lawyers say messages like these have a "chilling effect" on speakers.
Regardless of the likelihood of enforcement, this memo discourages
university employees from exercising their rights.



If the University of Illinois stands for anything, it should be civic
engagement. It shouldn't punish employees and faculty that use their own
time and resources to get involved. It should hold them up as an example.