Iowa State professors get it. Why can’t the administration?

On Thursday afternoon, after learning that two of the eight students being tried by the Office of Judicial Affairs had received conduct probation charges, four ISU English professors took action.

Within 15 minutes of hearing the verdict, the professors began circulating a petition among fellow faculty and staff. The petition stated: “Our signatures demonstrate our extreme discomfort at this harsh sanction against mature, heartfelt expression of ideas on this campus.”

The students were tried for their involvement in an unauthorized town hall meeting in Beardshear Hall that was held last November. Rally organizers tried to obtain a permit, but it was denied by the Dean of Students Office, even though the director of the Department of Public Safety, Loras Jaeger, recommended issuing them one.

The rally was nonviolent, safe and did not disrupt the business taking place in the hallowed halls of Beadshear. For informing others on campus and for exercising their rights of freedom of expression and assembly, these student leaders are being punished — harshly.

Two of the students received conduct probation, which prohibits them from holding leadership positions in university-recognized organizations. The other six were told they would have to wait up to five days to learn their fates. Four of these students could be suspended from the university. A decision may be made today.

The faculty and staff of Iowa State can see the injustices taking place. As leaders and educators on this campus they are taking a stand, a stand that will be heard by the administration.

It is unfair to criticize the university as a whole for these hearings, for the faculty and staff apparently know that silencing students is wrong. They know stripping student organizations of their leaders is wrong. They know denying freedom of speech and expression is very wrong.

The question remains: Why doesn’t the university administration know it’s wrong?