2008 Woodie Awards
Chancellor Sullivan supports free expression
...And we couldn't be happier
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 10/17/06 Section: Opinions
In the Sept. 19 edition of The Carolinian, our Staff Editorial praised Gov. Schwarzenegger and the California state assembly for codifying protections of free speech on university campuses, including the student press ("California supports a free student press"). We also expressed our appreciation to UNCG's University Media Board for declaring their opposition to censorship in their operating procedures.
To review, the UMB's policies state, "The University's media publications shall be free of censorship and advanced approval of copy [content]" (Policies and Operation Procedures, Section IV-B, Journalistic Standards and Practices). Their policies also affirm that, "The UMB shall promote and protect the editorial freedom of student editors/managers" engaged in responsible journalism.
We ended by asking Chancellor Sullivan to set an example for other campuses in the UNC system by expressing her support for free expression and a free student press at UNCG - a request we repeated in a letter we later sent to her along with our editorial. We hoped the Chancellor would confirm UNCG's dedication to the free exchange of ideas, a cornerstone of the higher education system.
She came through.
The Editorial Board received a letter from Chancellor Sullivan dated Oct. 6, in which she rooted a commitment to freedom of expression in both the Media Board's and UNCG's purpose, as well as in the first of five core values of "The UNCG Plan" - which is, "A spirit of inquiry." Her letter confirmed that not only The Carolinian, but also Coraddi and WUAG are "forums for free expression" at UNCG. This classification is vitally important to protect our campus media should future court decisions follow the lead of Hosty v. Carter (2005).
In the spirit of promoting our community's shared values, and with the hopes that our campus can be a leader in preserving students' rights under the First Amendment, we are reprinting Chancellor Sullivan's letter to us here. We extend our sincere thanks to her for her support, and are proud that she has taken such a firm stance on behalf of UNCG's student body.
From Chancellor Sullivan to the Editorial Board of The Carolinian, Oct. 6, 2006:
Your editorial of September 19, 2006, followed by your personal correspondence, asked that I affirm UNCG's commitment to freedom of the press for student media organizations. The Carolinian and other student media organizations such as Coraddi and WUAG have a proud tradition, many decades long, as forums for free expression by students on our campus. Editorial independence is ensured and supported on several fronts - it is constitutionally guaranteed both on campus and off; and it is stated clearly in the UNCG Media Board's purpose, to "…promote the highest standards of journalism…and safeguard their interests including their financial stability and their editorial independence."
Freedom of expression by student media, by other campus groups, and by individual members of the community is central to the purpose of the University, and it is affirmed as one of the five core values in UNCG's strategic plan - "A SPIRIT OF INQUIRY: UNCG will encourage and preserve the joy of reasoned inquiry and the free expression of ideas."
Sincerely,
Patricia A. Sullivan
Chancellor
UNCG's strategic plan ("The UNCG Plan 2003-2008") can be found online at: www.uncg.edu/cha/uncg_plan/
To review, the UMB's policies state, "The University's media publications shall be free of censorship and advanced approval of copy [content]" (Policies and Operation Procedures, Section IV-B, Journalistic Standards and Practices). Their policies also affirm that, "The UMB shall promote and protect the editorial freedom of student editors/managers" engaged in responsible journalism.
We ended by asking Chancellor Sullivan to set an example for other campuses in the UNC system by expressing her support for free expression and a free student press at UNCG - a request we repeated in a letter we later sent to her along with our editorial. We hoped the Chancellor would confirm UNCG's dedication to the free exchange of ideas, a cornerstone of the higher education system.
She came through.
The Editorial Board received a letter from Chancellor Sullivan dated Oct. 6, in which she rooted a commitment to freedom of expression in both the Media Board's and UNCG's purpose, as well as in the first of five core values of "The UNCG Plan" - which is, "A spirit of inquiry." Her letter confirmed that not only The Carolinian, but also Coraddi and WUAG are "forums for free expression" at UNCG. This classification is vitally important to protect our campus media should future court decisions follow the lead of Hosty v. Carter (2005).
In the spirit of promoting our community's shared values, and with the hopes that our campus can be a leader in preserving students' rights under the First Amendment, we are reprinting Chancellor Sullivan's letter to us here. We extend our sincere thanks to her for her support, and are proud that she has taken such a firm stance on behalf of UNCG's student body.
From Chancellor Sullivan to the Editorial Board of The Carolinian, Oct. 6, 2006:
Your editorial of September 19, 2006, followed by your personal correspondence, asked that I affirm UNCG's commitment to freedom of the press for student media organizations. The Carolinian and other student media organizations such as Coraddi and WUAG have a proud tradition, many decades long, as forums for free expression by students on our campus. Editorial independence is ensured and supported on several fronts - it is constitutionally guaranteed both on campus and off; and it is stated clearly in the UNCG Media Board's purpose, to "…promote the highest standards of journalism…and safeguard their interests including their financial stability and their editorial independence."
Freedom of expression by student media, by other campus groups, and by individual members of the community is central to the purpose of the University, and it is affirmed as one of the five core values in UNCG's strategic plan - "A SPIRIT OF INQUIRY: UNCG will encourage and preserve the joy of reasoned inquiry and the free expression of ideas."
Sincerely,
Patricia A. Sullivan
Chancellor
UNCG's strategic plan ("The UNCG Plan 2003-2008") can be found online at: www.uncg.edu/cha/uncg_plan/
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