Questionable aesthetics
I know I’m not the only one who is outraged by the Division of Housing and Food Services “aesthetics policy,” but I hope that I’m also not the only one who realizes that there is no consistency or validity to it either (“Signs violate UT aesthetics policy,” Sept. 30). If this 18-year-old policy is routinely enforced, how come there were signs up in nearly every window on campus all last semester with no mention of it? Decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court hold that a student’s free speech cannot interfere with their surroundings and that it cannot interfere with the educational process. How does hanging a sign up in a window interfere with its surroundings or have any effect whatsoever on educating students? I don’t know of any classes that meet on sidewalks outside of dorm room windows. Tinker v. Des Moines ruled that wearing an armband to class in order to protest the Vietnam war did not interfere with the educational process, so it is absurd to argue that a piece of cardboard in a window interferes with the learning environment UT offers. The founding fathers specifically designed the First Amendment to protect political speech above all else. If we cannot express our views about the way that we are governed, democracy fails. I am of the opinion that this policy clearly violates the First Amendment and that there is no reasonable justification for restricting a student’s right to express their political views in the form of a sign. My roommate and I have decided not to remove our Obama/Noriega signs that were provided to us by the University Democrats and are determined to continue exercising our constitutional rights.
Connor Kincaid
Music junior
Questionable aesthetics II
Some clarifications in regards to UT’s aesthetics policy: The window policy forbids displaying anything — not just political signs. It’s silly to think that the DHFS staff can’t do more than one thing at once. Our RAs do a fantastic job of simultaneously performing numerous tasks, so don’t worry about the so-called debauchery going unchecked (and if Zack Hall happens to know of any locations on campus where anyone is hiding drugs or guns, we’d greatly appreciate him letting us know where so we can help ensure the safety of our residents).
A friend of mine who works for one of the campaigns is continually frustrated by the amount of people who demand yard signs, but are unwilling to volunteer. I will concede that (ignoring the rights of property owners to regulate their buildings, etc) there might be raised morale by anonymously announcing your support to the world and some subconscious benefit to seeing that the third window on the fourth floor agrees with you.
However, I would challenge anyone whose entire involvement with this election is placing signs in their window to go out and do something. Register people to vote, call people in swing states, go door knocking for local candidates — just do something that puts yourself out there. If you want to show support, do it in a way that actually personalizes the issues; block walking in East Austin for a few hours will do more good for your candidate or issue than displaying a sign in your window for a year. While I don’t want to discourage anyone from working together to petition the University, I would just implore you to think of something that is more meaningful and fulfilling to do with your time — not because I don’t believe in free speech, but because I want you to actually use yours.
Tim Rogers
UT Alum/Staff
