Students Suspended From Participating in Frat for One Year Over Offensive Halloween Costumes
“inappropriate and counter to BGSU’s Core Values on diversity and inclusion”
This happened at Bowling Green State. The story below notes that this is basically a violation of free speech.
Campus Reform reports:
University suspends fraternity members over constitutionally protected speech
Bowling Green State University suspended nine students from participating in a fraternity for one year following a Halloween costume incident.
The nine Pi Kappa Alpha members dressed up as Mexican-American gang and posted photos on social media with the caption “your culture is my costume,” according to the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune.
Following the incident, BGSU conducted a code of conduct investigation into the nine students for potential violations. The investigation concluded that the students did not violate the code of conduct, as their speech was protected by the First Amendment.
“While their actions were inappropriate and counter to BGSU’s Core Values on diversity and inclusion, the reported behavior is protected speech under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and our own policy on free speech and expression. Therefore, there was no violation of the student code of conduct,” BGSU President Rodney Rogers said in a statement, according to the report. “This type of speech and behavior has no place in our community, and we will always speak out against individuals and groups that espouse racism, intolerance, or hate.”
Although the school determined that the students were well within their constitutional rights, each of them will still have to meet with the office of the Dean of Students to talk about why their actions were wrong, and why those actions do not line up with the university’s values.
DONATE
Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.
Comments
They need to file a lawsuit against the university, which should be a slam-dunk. They have the Pres on record saying they were within their free speech rights and there was no violation of the student code of conduct. Yet they were disciplined for their free speech.
They should show up for their meeting with the Dean wearing sombreros, serapes, and outrageously long fake droopy mustaches.
If they were dressed up off campus, there is no possible way the college can hold them to any sort of standards. For any behavior at that. If they were on campus, it’s public property. I too could drive over to BGSTD and dress up as a Mexican. Nobody can stop me.
Three articals that make me wonder. How many of these college professors and administrators dropped acid durring their college years. Thanks Mike for giving me something to laugh about today.