ACTA in the NewsFree Speech
ASU professors fail to cancel Christian speaker’s ‘dangerous’ guest talk titled ‘Family Under Attack’
Arizona State University hosted an event yesterday featuring attorney Mary Hasson, whose Christian […]
After passing through South Dakota’s House, a bill to ensure that freedom of expression and intellectual diversity be protected at all of South Dakota’s campuses died in the Senate State Affairs Committee on February 27 by a vote of 6-3.
On the same day that the decision was passed, there was a free speech controversy at the University of South Dakota (USD). The Student Bar Association had planned a “Hawaiian Day” event for which students would wear floral shirts and be given leis. The organizers of the event were informed by university administrators that the “Hawaiian Day” was offensive, and in turn changed the name to “Beach Day” and retracted the use of leis.
The incident has drawn criticism and commentary throughout the South Dakota press. Hawaii State Rep. Bob McDermott chimed in, rejecting the idea that wearing leis is offensive: “The lei is a symbol of our Aloha spirit in Hawaii, inclusive and welcoming . . . It is part of who we are in Hawaii and we are happy to share it.”
USD president Sheila Gestring has called for an investigation into whether the administration’s actions violated the policies of the Board of Regents regarding freedom of expression. Board President Kevin V. Schieffer has stated that he supports the investigation.
Following the “Hawaiian Day” debacle, the Senate State Affairs Committee voted 7-2 to reconsider the bill on Wednesday, March 6.
Arizona State University hosted an event yesterday featuring attorney Mary Hasson, whose Christian […]
Like many universities, Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh are struggling to protect free expression, encourage a plurality of views and foster habits of civil discourse on their campuses.
As a new administration comes into office and Congress begins its first session, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) calls on our representatives to turn their attention to American higher education and finally take decisive action. There is much to be done, but change is most urgently needed in the following five areas: […]
Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.
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