 "Photo:")
A proposed student honor code could violate students' free speech rights, said a coalition of conservative groups under the name "Students for American Values" at a protest Friday.
The protest opposed the recommendations by the Task Force on Racial Respect and Fairness, which suggested implementing an honor code that all students must sign, and an Honor Council to monitor violations of the code. Four students gave speeches, offered pamphlets with their criticisms of the task force recommendations and shredded fake copies of an honor code.
"We don't need people at the top of this Tower to tell us not to be racist. We can figure that out for ourselves," said John Gouda, a philosophy junior.
President Larry Faulkner created the task force in March 2003 after a series of racially charged incidents, including a racial profiling complaint against UTPD and the egging of the Martin Luther King Jr. statue on MLK Day last year.
UT students were given a 45-day feedback period after the report was released in January. Nancy McCowen, a non-voting member of the task force, said the group had their chance to submit feedback during the 45-day period, which ended March 5.
"Their comments will be considered along with the others," McCowen said.
Members of the conservative groups said that the feedback period had just begun.
"This fight isn't over," said Brian Bodine, chairman of the College Republicans. "If they get implemented, we will find other ways to oppose."
Bodine said the honor code recommendation will do more to restrict students' free speech rights instead of promoting diversity.
"It's an attack on conservative speech and anything deemed politically incorrect," said Brendan Steinhauser, a government senior.
The protesters also criticized the suggestion to institute a multicultural course requirement for undergraduate students, because it restricted academic freedom.
Several students in the crowd of students watching the protest loudly criticized the conservative groups for not providing any alternative suggestions.
"I'm offended by this," said sociology senior James Hedrick. "Show me your plan!"
A special "opposition mic" was reserved for people who disagreed with the students holding the protest. At least four people chose to take advantage of the mic to oppose what the protesters were saying.
"Attacking the recommendations is a stupid response," said Nana Amua-Sekyi, a biology senior. "Obviously, what we are doing right now isn't working."
Be the first to comment on this article!