Syracuse University claims that it maintains an environment to keep students free from all forms of sexual violence. It also purports to be “committed to academic freedom and freedom of expression.” Actions seem to speak louder than words, and it appears that the school cares more about censoring free speech than starting conversations about potential sexual predators.
According to the free speech advocacy group FIRE, Freshman Samantha Jones heard that a male student had a history of predatory behavior. She saw him at a party and asked him if he was a registered sex offender. The young man called the police, who referred the matter to Syracuse’s Office of Community Standards. The result; other than wasting the time of the police, she is in trouble!
The university took the side of the accused sex offender, stating that “accusing someone of something that has no validity, especially being on a sex offender list can harm one’s mental health and safety.” Ms. Jones is now on disciplinary probation and required to attend “Decision-Making” and “Conflict Coaching” workshops at Syracuse. Ms. Jones is appealing the decision and feels that she was punished for using her voice to “protect [herself] and others from the possibility of predatory behavior.”
Syracuse’s actions may scare students from reporting inappropriate behavior on campus for fear of retaliation. This also may reduce free speech on campus.
Groups like FIRE help students like Samantha Jones every day. FIRE, which stands for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, is a non-partisan group seeking to defend and sustain the individual rights of students and faculty members at America’s colleges and universities.
Join FIRE’s mailing list today. They are doing amazing work on behalf of students, administrators, and faculty across the country.
