The Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement’s ETSU Votes program hosted Free Speech 101: Understanding the First Amendment on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 11:15 am to 12:30 pm in the Reece Museum.
The event was in adherence to Constitution Day on Tuesday, Sept. 17. It was intended to inform students about what their legal rights are under the First Amendment and to start a civil debate on free speech and political correctness.
The event began with a presentation by special guest Ashley F. Leonard from the ETSU Compliance Council. She first explained the meaning of the first amendment for students who are not aware of what it protects. She emphasized that although we have the right to free speech without government inclusion, not all speech is protected.
Leonard spent the rest of her presentation explaining the Campus Free Speech Protection Act. She said there are limitations and regulations towards what students can say on campus if it causes substantial or material disruption to campus activities.
The following types of speech are not protected by the Campus Free Speech Protection Act: incitement, fighting words, true threats, intentional infliction of emotional distress, obscenity, defamation (slander and liable), harassment and speech that substantially disrupts campus or interferes with campus operations. Leonard explained each type of speech in depth.
“I think it’s important for students to know what’s legally protected and what’s not protected, and I think a lot of students may be unaware of their protection,” said Leonard.
Leonard allowed room for discussion throughout her presentation. After she finished, the event ended with an open forum in which attendees shared their opinions about certain elements of free speech.
Several students and professors discussed both real and hypothetical examples. In accordance to ETSU’s campus guidelines of the Campus Free Speech Protection Act, they debated which examples qualified as free speech.
“I think today’s event was great. You know, I think there was a great discussion; engagement by those in attendance. I think anytime we have an opportunity for face to face dialogue with one another to hear perspectives,” said Director of Leadership and Civic Engagement in the division of Student Life and Enrollment Joy Fulkerson.
ETSU Votes is dedicated to involving students in the voting process. They hold events on campus to educate students and promote voter registration.
ETSU Votes will hold two more events this week: The National Voter Registration Blitz from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24 in Borchuck Plaza, the Quad and Warf-Pickel Plaza and The Battle of Church and State from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26 in Ball Hall Auditorium. They will also hold more events next semester.
For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/etsuvotes/, https://www.etsu.edu/students/acts/voterregistration.php?fbclid=IwAR0uB6tcRw-ruQDdpHsEt_4Ss1zXT7RfQPOE7FjmHbBlBwlt5NQY4bgYSTo or email etsuvotes@etsu.edu .
