On Feb. 12, The Second Wave, with support from the Graduate English Association, BSA, APAAC and LBGTAA, requested permission to hold a rally inside the lobby of Beardshear Hall on the campus of Iowa State University. The stated purpose for requesting the rally was to assert rights to freedom of expression on campus. The permit was refused.

President Jischke has agreed, however, to meet with a group of students in a conference room in Beardshear Hall on Feb. 27 at noon. In addition, Dean MacKay has approved a rally to be held at the same time on the steps in front of Beardshear Hall.

We maintain that “authorized” speech is not free speech. We understand the complexities of time, place and manner restrictions, but we believe that as the rules are currently construed, they abridge students’ constitutional right of free expression, including the right to assemble peaceably.

The Graduate English Association and The Second Wave, in coalition with BSA, APAAC, LGBTAA, People for Understanding Disabilities and The September 29th Movement, have agreed to meet with President Jischke to raise questions about restrictions on freedom of expression and to negotiate with the administration to secure a public arena where voices of dissent will not only be heard but will receive an audience at the center rather than at the margins of the university. However, critics have suggested that the event is being touted now both on the part of the administration and the students as good PR. Because we do not want to draw attention away from the importance of that meeting and because we do not want to sabotage what we hope to be good faith efforts on the part of President Jischke and the administration, we are withdrawing our request for a rally at this time.

However, The Second Wave wants to make its position clear: we support, without reservation, students’ rights to make their voices heard across campus. And we encourage students to celebrate those rights on Feb. 27 by engaging in “random acts of free speech” — e-mail or write President Jischke or Dean MacKay, write an editorial, sign a petition, attend the “Dialogue and Difference” symposium at the Memorial Union, wear a button, carry a sign and vote in the GSB election.

Get a Voice!

Lisa Hermsen

Graduate Student

English

The Second Wave

Louise Libby

Graduate English Association