Comments on: Facilitating Discussion on Campus

By: Jeff Lail

Jeff Lail — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 16:52:20 +0000

Tom,
Great question. We didn't give a structured way for people to have an equal platform. We just encouraged those students who were offended or thought the speech inappropriate to share practice their 1st amendment right as well. In this situation, the Free Expression Tunnel was painted with messages that countered the messages of those few over the next few days. Here's an article from our student publication on how this issue turned out..
http://technicianonline.com/2.4106/1.1569660

By: Jeff Lail

Jeff Lail — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:52:20 +0000

Tom,
Great question. We didn’t give a structured way for people to have an equal platform. We just encouraged those students who were offended or thought the speech inappropriate to share practice their 1st amendment right as well. In this situation, the Free Expression Tunnel was painted with messages that countered the messages of those few over the next few days. Here’s an article from our student publication on how this issue turned out..
http://technicianonline.com/2.4106/1.1569660

By: Tom Krieglstein

Tom Krieglstein — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:38:58 +0000

Hey Jeff,
First off, kudos on a great first post on the site!
Secondly, Sean makes a lot of points that I agree with and want to back up.
Blocking the tunnel just intensifies the issue. Sean's example of the artist is a great way to facilitate a teachable moment.
I think it's perfectly ok for your office to not fully agree on an action. I think that's the nature of free speech. So often we want to box it in, but any time we do it kicks us back. Maybe free speech is meant to be perpetually debated even if it is a drain on our resources.
Also, I'm confused about the solution of giving the other side an equal platform to speak up against the negativity. I think it's a lot easier said than done to stand up against the hate, even though it's important to. I also fear that free speech would then turn into a yelling make with everyone talking and no one listening. Thoughts?

By: Tom Krieglstein

Tom Krieglstein — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:38:58 +0000

Hey Jeff,
First off, kudos on a great first post on the site!
Secondly, Sean makes a lot of points that I agree with and want to back up.
Blocking the tunnel just intensifies the issue. Sean’s example of the artist is a great way to facilitate a teachable moment.
I think it’s perfectly ok for your office to not fully agree on an action. I think that’s the nature of free speech. So often we want to box it in, but any time we do it kicks us back. Maybe free speech is meant to be perpetually debated even if it is a drain on our resources.
Also, I’m confused about the solution of giving the other side an equal platform to speak up against the negativity. I think it’s a lot easier said than done to stand up against the hate, even though it’s important to. I also fear that free speech would then turn into a yelling make with everyone talking and no one listening. Thoughts?

By: Sean Cook

Sean Cook — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:37:07 +0000

I had the opportunity to do a cultural lounge program once featuring a photographer who took pictures of the ongoing conversations in a graffiti tunnel like this at Penn State. The photos were displayed in one building in a public space and an employee complained about the subject matter. The university moved the exhibit to a cultural lounge in my area, which at the time was kept locked unless reserved. A censorship controversy ensued. I invited the photographer to come do a “Gallery Talk” and discuss the controversy around his exhibit. We then had a reception afterward. Since then, we have done many “gallery talks” for artists featured in our exhibit space. Times like these call for conversations and we should be facilitating them. Punishment for offenders and closing off the tunnel wouldn't address the real problems or provide a teachable moment. When controversies like this arise, some do whatever they can to make the problem and the bad feelings go away, rather than addressing them head-on. I think students get surprised when you allow the conversation to play itself out, so whenever possible, I lean toward that. The conversations will result in growth. Closing the tunnel might have appeased some, but it would have been the equivalent of closing off the conversation. The underlying problem would still exist, and those who needed to talk it through would only be frustrated further. It sounds like the solution in this case kept the conversations going and placed responsibility on students to be a part of the solution. A great example of how controversy on campus should be handled.

By: Sean Cook

Sean Cook — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:37:07 +0000

I had the opportunity to do a cultural lounge program once featuring a photographer who took pictures of the ongoing conversations in a graffiti tunnel like this at Penn State. The photos were displayed in one building in a public space and an employee complained about the subject matter. The university moved the exhibit to a cultural lounge in my area, which at the time was kept locked unless reserved. A censorship controversy ensued. I invited the photographer to come do a “Gallery Talk” and discuss the controversy around his exhibit. We then had a reception afterward. Since then, we have done many “gallery talks” for artists featured in our exhibit space. Times like these call for conversations and we should be facilitating them. Punishment for offenders and closing off the tunnel wouldn’t address the real problems or provide a teachable moment. When controversies like this arise, some do whatever they can to make the problem and the bad feelings go away, rather than addressing them head-on. I think students get surprised when you allow the conversation to play itself out, so whenever possible, I lean toward that. The conversations will result in growth. Closing the tunnel might have appeased some, but it would have been the equivalent of closing off the conversation. The underlying problem would still exist, and those who needed to talk it through would only be frustrated further. It sounds like the solution in this case kept the conversations going and placed responsibility on students to be a part of the solution. A great example of how controversy on campus should be handled.

By: Bobbie Ehrhardt

Bobbie Ehrhardt — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 08:30:46 +0000

Just as our American culture and political climate changes so does the degree of freedom associated with public speech. Each generation finds themselves facing the challenges of reconciling their concept of freedom of speech with the prevailing powers that be. It is very heartening, at least to those that feel freedom of speech should err on the side of less instead of more restrictions, to see that you have exercised your rights in this forum and in such a conscientious and open manner.

By: Bobbie Ehrhardt

Bobbie Ehrhardt — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:30:46 +0000