Central Michigan University: Abridgement of Freedom to Display Patriotic Symbols

At Central Michigan University, an administrator told several students to remove various patriotic posters (an American flag, an eagle, etc.) from their dormitory. On October 8, a Residential Advisor told them that their display was "offensive," and that they had until the end of the day to remove the items. As one student said, "American flags or pictures that were pro-American had to be taken down because they were offensive to people." FIRE brought the case to the attention of CMU's President, Michael Rao and soon after, the University reaffirmed its obligations to the First Amendment and expressed regret at the actions of some residential dormitory staff.

Case Materials

• "Victory for Free Speech at Central Michigan University; President Rao Defends and Affirms Free Speech and the Bill of Rights," November 7, 2001: Freedom won a major victory at Central Michigan University (CMU) today when the University reaffirmed its obligations to the First Amendment and expressed regret at the actions of some residential dormitory staff. FIRE brought the case to the attention of CMU's President, Michael Rao, whose leadership resolved the case to the advantage of liberty
• "Central Michigan University," October 24, 2001: At Central Michigan University, an administrator told several students to remove various patriotic posters (an American flag, an eagle, and so on) from their dormitory. On October 8, a Residential Advisor told them that their display was "offensive," and that they had until the end of the day to remove the items. As one student said, "American flags or pictures that were pro-American had to be taken down because they were offensive to people." FIRE has contacted President Michael Rao, along with the Board of Trustees and officials in the Office of Residential Life, to insist that this public institution not violate its students' free speech rights. President Michael Rao has written to FIRE, expressing his full commitment to the First Amendment and freedom of expression. FIRE is in discussion with the office of the president about the events on his campus. Stay tuned.
• "FIRE's Letter to President Rao," October 23, 2001

Media Coverage

• "Thought Police Spring to Action on the Campus,"
  by Jonathan Yardley, The Record, November 26, 2001
• "Ticketing the Campus Thought Police,"
  by Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post, November 12, 2001
• "University President Backs Speech Rights,"
  by Lou Marano, United Press International, November 7, 2001
• "The Scene: Free Speech Victory,"
  by Virginia Postrel, Dynamist.com, November 7, 2001
• "Suppression of Speech on Campus (Web exclusive),"
  by Michael Barone, US News & World Report, November 6, 2001
• "The Death of Free Speech in Higher Ed,"
  by Andrea Neal, The Indianapolis Star, October 31, 2001
• "Abolishing America (contd.): Academe vs. Patriotism,"
  by Paul CraigRoberts, VDARE, October 28, 2001
• "University May be Infringing on Students' Rights,"
  Central Michigan LIFE, October 24, 2001
• "Footnotes of an America United,"
  Fox News, September 26, 2001