But surely, this issue is far from over. The legislature may ask governing bodies of public institutions to report on policies for explicit material. And, governing bodies, like the Board of Regents, may pass a policy to preempt any legislation limiting funding for higher education before next session. It looks like the issue has cooled off for now, but keep your eyes open on the issue.
In my previous post, I noted my opposition for any limitations, in legislation or policy, on First Amendment rights and freedom of expression on university campuses:
Viewing a pornographic film on campus in the student union is distasteful. But this conversation is about much more. It's about the innapropriate use of legislative authority.Senator Harris' attempt to use the power of the purse to limit academic freedom and societal discourse at USM institutions is irresponsible and out of place. The film cost no money to the university, and the student activities board thought it to be a positive component to the discourse on the UMCP campus. While i find the movie distasteful, I fear of the potential for censorship to come on Senator Harris' and other's moral beliefs. When dealing with adults in our nation, we have celebrated a long standing tradition of free speech. Why should this change in campuses of public universities? Additionally, the legislature should respect the administrative authority of the USM and the UMCP administration in governing public universities in Maryland on such administrative issues. This move flies in the face of the principle of the First Amendment.
Accordingly, I will likely not support a USM policy, envisioned by Senator Harris. Thoughts?
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14 comments:
I think you're taking the right position on this, Josh. I'm glad to see that the BoR hasn't taken any knee-jerk action.
I think that the situation won't be taken seriously in general, by the majority of people, because of the fact that it is porn. If it was a more serious subject, more people would give it the light of day. It's also unfortunate that students would be willing to put the reputation of their school on the line. It's a lose-lose situation-- If schools do show it, people who are against it will not think highly of the institution, and if schools do not show it, some people will be upset too.
Overall, I think it's a bad way to "make a point" about freedom of speech. Choose something else controversial-- something with more depth, and something more people already think a little more highly of.
I think the school should have a final say on what gets aired in their facilities. Hey I'm up for freedom of speech but this is a matter of morality and decency. I don't see parents agreeing to sending their kids to a school that allow this type of things. I think the schools earns bad rep from matters like this.
I absolutely agree with you, Josh. While the decision to screen a pornographic film reflects immaturity and poor judgment, there is a much deeper issue at stake that demands attention and advocacy from students. And if a policy is to be made that abridges students' First Amendment rights to this magnitude, then students must be a part of that process.
It's bad enough people watch porn in their homes, now they want to do it at a public institution? Come on, I don't want my tax dollars supporting someone else's sexual distastefulness.
I find the religious organizations that are student run on capmus more offensive than a screening of a porn film. Andy Harris has only proven himself to be an asshole with a biased view of morality and decency.
Hey all you idiots crying "first amendment! first amendment! first amendment!" really need to check the real meaning of the first amendment. surely the founders did not mean for it to be used for a porn show.
To the anonymous above, your comment has no relevance. No need to bring religion into this. There may be some religious groups at your school that are open to talking about their faith, etc. but I highly doubt that there is anything truly controversial about what they're doing. Just because you don't have a tolerance or are annoyed by religion doesn't mean it should be "offensive." If they're not in your face, then let it go. I'm not religious, but please.. I get annoyed by people like you.
Showing porn in school is not freedom of speech, it's being a loser that tries too hard to look like a rebel. It's pointless anyways, why do it.
"Just because you don't have a tolerance or are annoyed by religion doesn't mean it should be "offensive." If they're not in your face, then let it go. "
Its like you understand the point he was making, yet are oblivious to it at the same time...
I get annoyed by people's double standards. Maybe I'm offended by on campus religious organizations using classrooms and meeting areas to congregate, the same way you're offended by a student group choosing to hold a screening of a porn in the student union. Both are voluntary to attend, you unfortunately missed my point.
"I get annoyed by people's double standards. Maybe I'm offended by on campus religious organizations using classrooms and meeting areas to congregate, the same way you're offended by a student group choosing to hold a screening of a porn in the student union. Both are voluntary to attend, you unfortunately missed my point."
You should have initially explained yourself.. you sounded quite uneducated in your response, to say the least. I understand why that "Anonymous" came to his or her conclusion about your comment.
As for the comparison, I believe it is inaccurate. Religion, at least in its true essence, is meant to uplift spirits and build faith. Because this topic involves porn, the foundation for a legitimate argument is quite unsound, because it is no secret what the true point of porn is for: sexual arousal. What the first "Anonymous" said is very true; there is truly no depth to this argument because the majority of people have a somewhat negative outlook on the topic and purpose of porn. I would agree more with the students in this situation if it was a topic worth arguing about.
I think a more substantial issue that freedom of speech is the preservation of our humanity and morality. What is the need for us to behave as, watch, and condone animalistic behavior?
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