12/08/2008


A University of Michigan student disagreed with a proposed policy change concerning the length of the school week. Deciding to make her views known, she sent an email to about 400 faculty members arguing against the change. The result? Well, instead of responding to her concerns, they brought her in for disciplinary charges (and possible suspension) for sending spam.

Here is the email from Kara Spencer, representing Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) and the University Committee on Student Affairs (UCSA).

Is this spam or ham?

Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 From: Kara Spencer Subject: Changes to Academic Calendar The Provost has proposed changes to the Academic Calendar and Fall Welcome schedule which are slated for final approval on September 23, 2008. Faculty, administrators, and students have voiced concerns regarding the process of the proposal. As concerned students we feel that adequate time has not been given to address the multitude of issues the proposed changes raise. In discussions with members of the university community, we have discovered that many are unaware of the impending changes, or the likely repercussions, which will greatly affect both faculty and students alike. The shortening of Fall Welcome may impact the organized activities of colleges and impede the acclimation of freshmen, international, and out-of-state students to the University. The loss of instructional time due to shortening of the semester will create a burden for class schedules and syllabi that are already compressed and thereby compromise academic quality. The proposed change of shortening finals week to Wednesday-Saturday evening raises a number of concerns: the implications of overlapping instructional days with finals week, the impact on those within the community who observe Saturday as a religious day, and the fact that even with the current schedule many students encounter multiple exams on a single day and narrowing the time frame will only increase this likelihood. Delaying the start of classes until mid-week (Wednesday has been proposed) will not deter non-academic activities of students or provide a solution to the health and safety concerns cited by the Provost's office as the chief reason for the changes. Instead, it will extend the non-academic/welcome period for students living off-campus whose move-in will still occur a week prior to classes. The inability of students to have adequate time to settle in prior to the start of classes will likely drive more students to opt for living off-campus, undermining one of the main objectives of the University…increasing retention of students in on-campus housing. We believe that an inclusive dialogue among members of the University community and a comprehensive evaluation of all available information are imperative before any proposal can be adopted. Such a review would require that the Provost's proposal not be implemented for the 2009-2010 academic year. Given the immediacy of the situation, we request that any faculty wishing to be heard on this issue contact their https://www.msu.edu/unit/acadgov/faculty/FacutlyCouncil07-08.html Faculty Council representative or the Provost's office.

So, what does the University say about respectful free speech? This is an excerpt from the president Lou Anna K. Simon's desk:

As the university’s general policy on outside speakers states, “It is the policy of Michigan State University to foster a spirit of free inquiry and to encourage the timely discussion of a wide variety of issues, provided that the views expressed are stated openly and, therefore, are subject to critical evaluation. Restraints on free inquiry should be held to that minimum which is consistent with preserving an organized society in which peaceful, democratic means for change are available.” While we may disagree with one another’s positions, as a learning community we must respect the rights of individuals to express their positions – without fear of intimidation and physical harm. http://president.msu.edu/desk/index.php?/site/upholding_the_right_to_free_speech/ (emphasis added)

And from the Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University, section 1.5.7:

"Regulations shall respect the free expression of ideas and shall encourage the competition of ideas from diverse perspectives ... Lawful and peaceable public demonstrations are permitted by the University and are protected by the law, without regard to the point of view being expressed. Members of the University’s community of scholars are free to organize, debate, pass resolutions, distribute leaflets, circulate petitions, picket and otherwise express themselves regarding issue of political and social interest. However, no individual or group of individuals may disrupt other campus activities or programs. http://president.msu.edu/dissent_vs_disruption.php (emphasis added) Also: 1.3 The University cherishes many values, modes of thought, and standards of behavior that are better taught by example, persuasion, social pressure, and rewards than by the threat of penalties. http://www.vps.msu.edu/SpLife/afr1.htm

Here is the policy statement about bulk email:
http://lct.msu.edu/guidelines-policies/bulkemail.html

Permitted uses for broad cross-University mailing. Bulk e-mailing may be used only by University offices to send communications necessary to the normal course of business and which typically require some official action be taken individually by recipients.

But the Faculty Council list is located on their website
(https://www.msu.edu/unit/acadgov/faculty/FacutlyCouncil07-08.html)

So, I can send this targeted email without a problem, but a student with direct interest in an issue cannot send it, due to the MSU email policy statement.

The email was sent to a selective group of 400 faculty (out of about 4,000 total faculty), so the selection of the recipient list was thoughtful. But, the university has a policy against sending email to more than 30 people. This makes some sense, but it sure looks like they were hiding behind the IT policy to stop opposing opinions, not uncommon in many American universities, where the general attitude is "Free speech! (as long as I agree with what you are saying)". If Kara Spenser had sent an email to these professors trying to sell her car, she most likely would have received a copy of the email policy guidelines with a request to stop these types of emails and that would have been the end of the matter.


This selective enforcement of the email guidelines has to send a chilling message about freedom of speech to all students. Disagree with the faculty at your own risk. When any powerful group (government or an employer) pretends to support free speech but then uses its formidable power to attack those whose speech is does not agree with, that is hypocritical and, frankly, dangerous.