EDITORIAL: Self-regulated speech
Taking ownership of the words we choose
No entity engenders discussion as readily as the hallowed halls of college campuses. The digital age has blurred the line between where the classroom begins and ends and has even challenged previously unassailable convictions.
To say that college students value free speech is to vastly underestimate the culture of higher learning. Discussion is the foundation of ideas, and ideas are the precursor of action.
Universities increasingly offer online options for students to utilize, and their popularity is a testament to the change that has taken place in the way we communicate. It is easy to reach out and grab what information we need and even easier to remain anonymous while doing so.
There is, however, a price that has to be paid for the ability to download infinite amounts of information anonymously. The price of the Internet is that everyone enjoys the same easy access and many of our online selves are terrible people.
A simple scroll through the comment section following any online story or article quickly reveals that Internet interaction is not always governed by the same rules that apply to face-to-face conversation. The vile oaths and rants of seemingly insane individuals share space with those who only wish to connect with like-minded individuals.
This type of destructive behavior should not be allowed to weave its way into the discussion boards and social media platforms of universities. It is almost unheard of for disagreements to escalate into open disrespect within the confines of the classroom and neither should it be tolerated on university websites.
College campuses are nothing if not sanctuaries of collaboration amongst instructors and students and allowing online criticism to degenerate into ineffective posts falls far outside of an academic commitment to promoting debate.
Students will argue fiercely, and rightly so, that private social media pages and accounts are just that. Universities have no business monitoring what might be written on off-campus websites and several recent court cases have come down in favor of students’ right to say whatever they want on private Web pages.
The University of Houston System maintains a policy of non-interference in online posts unless the speech in question violates a specific spectrum including, but not limited to, threats, intimidation, harassment or anything that endangers people’s safety.
Student speech on websites created by public universities is subject to be monitored because it falls under applicable state laws and also university policy. Speech that is suspected of falling outside of university policy is dealt with on a case-by-case basis to determine if disciplinary action is needed.
University discussion boards and teacher-to-student email correspondence should be undertaken with a high level of professionalism so that arguments and bickering do not distract from the goal of learning.
Effective communication is all but lost the moment we trade insults. A university Web page that is inundated by vulgar posts fails to attract users and loses its ability to function: as it was meant to function, as a student accommodation.
The right to freedom of expression is an unapologetic demand of every college student because it allows for a free flow of ideas that can be just as game-changing as the rise of the digital age.
Freedom of expression should be protected and expanded in ways that will lead to positive development. It should not be wielded as an all-out free pass that would lessen the college experience for future generations who will no doubt experience a major part of the academic atmosphere within online interaction.
