I am a sophomore pre-law student at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe Pennsylvania. Typically considered a very conservative college, SVC has recently posted regulations that limit students' free speech on campus. As a strong conservative myself, I see these rules as very unconstitutional and counterproductive to whole concept of college campus'. A community campus is meant to promote students to share their ideologies and opinions, but SVC is now preventing this. In fear of hurting people's feelings or expressing an opinion that not everyone agrees with, the college is over-sensitizing the students. We are adults who should be capable of disagreeing with other's views. Here is the message that the administration posted:
- All posters on campus can only be posted on boards marked “Campus Events,” including all lobbies and floors of residence halls.
- The club, organization or department is responsible for taking down all posters the day after the event.
- All fundraisers must be approved by the Office of Campus Life.
- All use of sidewalk chalk must be approved by the Office of Campus Life.
- Scotch tape should be the only tape used to hang up signs; duct tape should never be used.
- All banners hung in the Carey Lounge must be approved by the Office of Campus Life.
- Materials promoting a particular candidate, political party or a partisan political message or bias may not be posted or displayed electronically or physically around campus. This policy covers local, state and national politics and does not apply to campus activities sanctioned by the College.
- No posters may be taped to any walking surface in or around campus.
So now I can't put up a poster that simply says "Trump for President" without offending someone. Come on people, lets be adults. This kind of stuff has been happening at universities nationwide, and it's simply childish. Being a private campus, I'm not sure how well my arguments will go with administration. Let's hope for the best, and let's push for a more mature America. Students, Millennials especially, need to learn how to hear other's opinions and not be instantly offended. Let's make America Great Again.
-Mitchell Bachman
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