Campus Rights, Or Lack Thereof

It is a sad fact that many Connecticut schools do nothing to protect, or even recognize, student rights.  Dissenting opinions and thoughts are not allowed; you are expected to "toe the line".  Any questioning of school officials is regarded as "defiance" and considered "insubordination". (1)  This "insubordination" frequently brings about harsh penalties, even to the extent of student expulsion.  

Those that doubt my statements need only look as far as their particular school's rules.  As an example, let's look at some of the policies outlined in the Fairfield Warde High School Student Handbook.  

On page fifteen, we find a section dealing with "general conduct".  Among things that are considered to be "serious infractions of school rules" are:

• "Abusive language", including language that is "insulting" or "harassing"

• Speech and/or clothing that is "inappropriate or degrading"

• Any other remarks and/or clothing that "otherwise detracts from (the) educational environment" (1) (2)

Obviously, this section of the school guidelines is very broad in its scope.  

For example, under these rules, a student could be punished for wearing a hat that says "keep America great" (or perhaps "Trump 2020").  The only thing that school administration would need to say is that the hat "detracts from (the) educational environment".  In the event of such a ruling, the student would have no choice but to stop wearing the hat; that is, if said student expected to graduate.  Also, the student would have no avenue of appeal available, because "that's just the way it is".  

For their part, school officials in Connecticut frequently say that they are "committed to the rights of all students".  To them, I say that actions speak louder than words.  If you are truly committed to campus rights, don't just talk about it; prove it.  "How can we do this", do you ask? I have a simple proposition for you; adopt a version of the "Chicago Statement" (a policy of the University of Chicago which states, in part, that students have the right to express their opinions as they see fit to). (3)  

Over sixty-five schools and institutions have already done this; why aren't any Connecticut schools among them? (Full disclosure: my attempts to discuss this issue with top officials at Warde have, so far, met with failure)

Every American has the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as explained in the Declaration of Independence. (4)  These rights, which include the right to free expression, are not given up "at the schoolhouse door", so to speak.  They apply to everyone, everywhere in this nation; the argument regarding "time, place, and manner" is one of nonsense.  

It's high time that school administrators started to recognize campus rights.  To them, I say this; if you're going to "talk the talk", be willing to "walk the walk".  

Sources:

1. 2019-20 Fairfield Warde High School Student Handbook. 2019, p. 15, "Conduct."

2. 2019-20 Fairfield Warde High School Student Handbook. 2019, p. 15, "General Conduct."

3. Stone, Geoffrey, et al. Report Of The Committee On Freedom Of Expression. Committee On Freedom Of Expression, University Of Chicago, Chicago, 2015, https://provost.uchicago.edu/sites/default/files/documents/reports/FOECommitteeReport.pdf. Accessed 29 Feb 2020.

4. Jefferson, Thomas, et al. United States Declaration Of Independence. Second Continental Congress, 1776.