A Free University In A Free Society? Not At UCF
by maTT de vlieger, ucfsds

On April 20, 2006, University of Central Florida's Students for a Democratic Society encountered an encroachment on their right to free speech. Students and faculty of SDS-UCF spread out over several unclaimed benches in what is known as the "Breezeway", more properly referred to as the John T. Washington Center. They held signs that drew attention to the possibility of a U.S. led nuclear air strike on Iran. Participants did not approach those in passing, however, several of the signs simply read, "Ask me about Iran." This was their attempt to hold a non-confrontational awareness event on campus.

Several students and faculty expressed pleasure with the peaceful talk-in held by SDS, many of which commented highly on the intellectual and cultural literacy of its members. After almost an hour of nearly complete support, students were met by university officials who wanted them to put away their signs. The argument they suggested was: "Since advertisers pay to be here, it isn't fair for you to be here holding signs." That argument was not good enough for SDS whose members responded: "As paying students who believe in the need for a free society, we disagree with your argument - we have no intention of leaving."

To demonstrators, staying appeared to be a just and legal thing to do. No U.S. law was in violation. As the pictures show, students left ample room available for passers-by to sit. This still was not good enough and soon enough an armed officer arrived and demanded that the participants disband or move to the "free speech" area.

A few weeks ago the President of UCF, Dr. John C. Hitt, declared: "This is a free speech campus - it is a free speech country. However we do have free assembly areas." The student who was approached by the officer repeated this statement with regard to the specific rule. The student made it clear that free speech was protected on campus and that legally, there is no such place as a "free speech area." The Golden Rule, under a section titled Free Assembly Areas, says that the "[d]eterminations of what constitutes interference shall be made by the University President or designee in the best interests of the University." (http://www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/16_Event_Management.html)

After being undermined, the Officer began to reach for his handcuffs and ask for identification under the threat of issuing "trespasses or arrests". "Do you want to be allowed back here?" he asked. When a faculty member asked the officer cite the rule he was enforcing he could not and said, "Go talk to administration". Students stood up in preparation to march to Millican Hall, the administration building.

Conveniently, the very representative who the students wished to speak with was out on lunch. Staffers cited rules that the activists were already familiar with and did not feel that they had broken. One public policy PhD asked these staffers about their position. "As a faculty member, it appears to me that the UCF has taken an official stand against free speech. Would you like to go on record stating that the administration is opposed to the first amendment of the Constitution?"

Students broke into two groups; some left to attend the three year evaluation of President Hitt, while others went to the General Counsel for legal opinions. The general counsel was also "out to lunch". A student then read the secretary the First Amendment of the Constitution to be certain that President Hitt's legal advisor was familiar with it. She responded with many "uh hum's" so she obviously was.

Students for a Democratic Society at UCF will continue the fight for a fully free speech campus that has been brought up for the past 4 years by fellow activist organizations. The fascist actions of UCF authorities have only strengthened the will of these SDS/MDS activists

Background Information: Professor John T. Washington, whom the building is named after, was one of the first black professors at UCF. His field was in sociology, but aside from his teaching he helped found the University's Office of Affirmative Action & Equal Opportunity.

"In addition to teaching classes, working for equal opportunity and social justice, and mentoring students and colleagues, he conducted the first comprehensive research on Orlando Black leaders and their leadership styles. His interest in leadership and community involvement incensed several current community leaders to become active in the civic and political arena."(http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~jtwhs/jtw.htm)

The actions taken by the building manager of the John T. Washington Center were in direct opposition to what this man stood for. Policy change is in order before they bring further shame on what his name currently represents at UCF.