“Penn State launches website focused on free speech and free expression on campus”

razpsu

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Here they are protesting Charlie Kirk who is going to speak. I hope they hold true in allowing free speech.
 
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Erial_Lion

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If you recall - about a year ago Neeli formed committees to expand and concentrate on the presence of DEI+b within Penn State. Do not be fooled with this latest round of calling upon the documents of the USA as an important feature of education of the mass of students and/or others who might see the headline and not know the basics.

Yesterday I spoke with the EA to the Provost and learned the PSU Pres and the EVP and Provost make the underpinning of this venture a feature of DEI+b. Evidently those two of foreign birth and education feel this most important item is for everyone to 'feel' as part of something.
In their minds, speech is still to be realized within DEI.

If my memory serves me - in 1977, UMich admissions declared the incoming class was too much the same. Or as society called it - Affirmative Action by allowing 'underserved in some manner' to be placed above 'others'. The US Supremes recently declared this to be illegal.
Forgive me if you will - but to me Performance is still the key. No team would permit players to substitute for 'belonging.'
Therefore - DEI + b has no use in the educational excellence for any student, or sugarcoated as excuses - no matter how different they might be !
The University (and it's students/staff) certainly benefits from a more diverse student population. If all we're looking at is grades or test scores, we're likely not getting that type of a cross-section. So call it what you will (DEI, Affirmative Action, etc), but I'd hope that we're looking beyond simply "performance" in a potential entrant's high school transcript. Or do we really think that a kid from the Main Line that got a 1300 on the SAT after his private schooling and SAT prep courses is automatically a better candidate for admission that the kid that went to Strawberry Mansion and saw SAT questions for the first time the day he took the test and got an 1100? It's not always black and white (and I'm not just talking skin colors).
 
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razpsu

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They should be allowed to protest, he should be allowed to speak.
I’m sure it will be more than simple protesting. Hopefully I’m wrong and they don’t physical do anything or shout him down every second that he speaks. Students have the right to listen to all view points freely and equally.
 
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GrimReaper

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The University (and it's students/staff) certainly benefits from a more diverse student population. If all we're looking at is grades or test scores, we're likely not getting that type of a cross-section. So call it what you will (DEI, Affirmative Action, etc), but I'd hope that we're looking beyond simply "performance" in a potential entrant's high school transcript. Or do we really think that a kid from the Main Line that got a 1300 on the SAT after his private schooling and SAT prep courses is automatically a better candidate for admission that the kid that went to Strawberry Mansion and saw SAT questions for the first time the day he took the test and got an 1100? It's not always black and white (and I'm not just talking skin colors).
The primary number PSU admissions looks at is the zipcode.
 

TheBigUglies

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Just read something this morning where his microphone and speakers were turned off because they didn't have permits for the use of them or something like that. I don't like this guy but do believe in freedom on speech and feel this is a ******** move by PSU. I am okay with counter protestors as well as long as it remains civilized and peaceful, but when you show up with helmets, masks over your face, and shields becomes a problem for me(not that they did that yesterday but just making a general statement)

https://onwardstate.com/2024/09/19/...s-cut-at-penn-states-turning-point-usa-rally/

Since this is the way the first amendment reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

There is no amendment that says PSU can't do what they want on their property.
 
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Midnighter

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Just read something this morning where his microphone and speakers were turned off because they didn't have permits for the use of them or something like that. I don't like this guy but do believe in freedom on speech and feel this is a ******** move by PSU. I am okay with counter protestors as well as long as it remains civilized and peaceful, but when you show up with helmets, masks over your face, and shields becomes a problem for me(not that they did that yesterday but just making a general statement)

https://onwardstate.com/2024/09/19/...s-cut-at-penn-states-turning-point-usa-rally/

Since this is the way the first amendment reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

There is no amendment that says PSU can't do what they want on their property.

Think someone @GrimReaper pointed out that schools that receive government funding are basically considered a government entity for first amendment purposes and cannot do ‘whatever they want’ when it comes to suppressing free speech. Might have interpreted that incorrectly.
 

Midnighter

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Just read something this morning where his microphone and speakers were turned off because they didn't have permits for the use of them or something like that. I don't like this guy but do believe in freedom on speech and feel this is a ******** move by PSU. I am okay with counter protestors as well as long as it remains civilized and peaceful, but when you show up with helmets, masks over your face, and shields becomes a problem for me(not that they did that yesterday but just making a general statement)

https://onwardstate.com/2024/09/19/...s-cut-at-penn-states-turning-point-usa-rally/

Since this is the way the first amendment reads:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

There is no amendment that says PSU can't do what they want on their property.

More info here - didn’t have permit for speakers/mics it seems; only to distribute information….

 

GrimReaper

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Think someone @GrimReaper pointed out that schools that receive government funding are basically considered a government entity for first amendment purposes and cannot do ‘whatever they want’ when it comes to suppressing free speech. Might have interpreted that incorrectly.
For clarification, Supreme Court has held that "public" universities are extensions of the government and freedom of speech requirements extend to them. Same is not true of private schools. Distinction is important since virtually all schools receive some form of government funding. Pretty sure PSU is considered "public."
 

BobPSU92

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For clarification, Supreme Court has held that "public" universities are extensions of the government and freedom of speech requirements extend to them. Same is not true of private schools. Distinction is important since virtually all schools receive some form of government funding. Pretty sure PSU is considered "public."

But,but, but…We Are!…STATE. RELATED. o_O ! *



* Please disregard for the purpose of state funding. In this instance, we are a pubic public university. Thank you.
 
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Keyser Soze 16802

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Interesting quote:

“Charlie Kirk is a very inflammatory guy. Whenever someone like that comes to campus, it’s almost like the organization that is hosting these people so that they can see reactions from the other side,” Lindsey, a graduate student, said. “Maybe we should invite more left-wing figures. I just feel it’s really one-sided right now. There’s no balance.”

Lindsey, you can invite anyone to campus that you want (except Louie Freeh, of course). In other words, the "we" in "we should invite" includes "you"..... assuming that you are willing to put forth some actual effort rather than just complaining.
 

Midnighter

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Interesting quote:

“Charlie Kirk is a very inflammatory guy. Whenever someone like that comes to campus, it’s almost like the organization that is hosting these people so that they can see reactions from the other side,” Lindsey, a graduate student, said. “Maybe we should invite more left-wing figures. I just feel it’s really one-sided right now. There’s no balance.”

Lindsey, you can invite anyone to campus that you want (except Louie Freeh, of course). In other words, the "we" in "we should invite" includes "you"..... assuming that you are willing to put forth some actual effort rather than just complaining.


Interesting quote:

“Charlie Kirk is a very inflammatory guy. Whenever someone like that comes to campus, it’s almost like the organization that is hosting these people so that they can see reactions from the other side,” Lindsey, a graduate student, said. “Maybe we should invite more left-wing figures. I just feel it’s really one-sided right now. There’s no balance.”

Lindsey, you can invite anyone to campus that you want (except Louie Freeh, of course). In other words, the "we" in "we should invite" includes "you"..... assuming that you are willing to put forth some actual effort rather than just complaining.

It’s also definitely to get a reaction. Pro trolling at its finest.
 

LB99

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Oct 27, 2021
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Interesting quote:

“Charlie Kirk is a very inflammatory guy. Whenever someone like that comes to campus, it’s almost like the organization that is hosting these people so that they can see reactions from the other side,” Lindsey, a graduate student, said. “Maybe we should invite more left-wing figures. I just feel it’s really one-sided right now. There’s no balance.”

Lindsey, you can invite anyone to campus that you want (except Louie Freeh, of course). In other words, the "we" in "we should invite" includes "you"..... assuming that you are willing to put forth some actual effort rather than just complaining.
“Put forth some actual effort instead of just complaining”

That applies to many on this board also.
 

razpsu

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“Very inflammatory?” lol.
Just because you don’t agree with it don’t start labeling it .
There were many there that thought otherwise.
 

Nitt1300

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I suspect (I wasn't in the room when it was debated) that the First Amendment wasn't intended to provide the same absolute protection for falsehoods as for the truth.
 
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razpsu

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Isn’t the petition a form of peaceful protest? Isn’t that also protected under the constitution? Just because you don’t agree with it…..
?
“SCDS also started a petition urging Penn State to deny Kirk's tour on campus. “
Stop his right to free speech.
 

razpsu

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You make a lot of assumptions.
Well they turned off the mic. If he wasn’t allowed to use a mic I’m sure he would have picked a different venue. Saying that. He may have just encouraged people to debate him like he usually does. Vivek has the Thomas building set up for another part of this tour so he will have the necessary tools needed for that.
we will see if no one is allowed to use a mic on the hub moving forward from 8-6pm.
 

razpsu

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Penn state also removed the collegian papers I see. Don’t know why they did that or why they would do that.
 

LB99

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?
“SCDS also started a petition urging Penn State to deny Kirk's tour on campus. “
Stop his right to free speech.
Isn’t the petition a form of free speech also? Did anyone stop Kirk from coming on campus? No. Did anyone stop him from talking? No. The mics were cut because they didn’t abide by campus rules, but no one muzzled him or escorted him off of campus property, did they?
 

razpsu

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Isn’t the petition a form of free speech also? Did anyone stop Kirk from coming on campus? No. Did anyone stop him from talking? No. The mics were cut because they didn’t abide by campus rules, but no one muzzled him or escorted him off of campus property, did they?
I’ll answer both here.
Asking to stop someone from speaking is not free speech. Let them talk! Why try to stop it! Students especially need to hear all sides of issues etc to get the information they need to make an informed decision so they have can understand and accept viewpoints that may help them decide or mold their own opinions and viewpoints.

second. I challenged the statement psu put out about free speech. I do not know the whole reason for pulling the papers as I don’t understand the reason for turning Kirk’s mic off unless it has to do with being outside at the hub lawn during the day as they say. That must be new as I remember many times on the hub lawn people used mics and audio in the past.
So in both cases including the petition to stop someone from speaking at a public state university is wrong.
 

LB99

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I’ll answer both here.
Asking to stop someone from speaking is not free speech. Let them talk! Why try to stop it! Students especially need to hear all sides of issues etc to get the information they need to make an informed decision so they have can understand and accept viewpoints that may help them decide or mold their own opinions and viewpoints.

second. I challenged the statement psu put out about free speech. I do not know the whole reason for pulling the papers as I don’t understand the reason for turning Kirk’s mic off unless it has to do with being outside at the hub lawn during the day as they say. That must be new as I remember many times on the hub lawn people used mics and audio in the past.
So in both cases including the petition to stop someone from speaking at a public state university is wrong.
Your opinion seems to be fake outrage. My opinion is nobody stopped him from speaking. You act as though his viewpoints are logical and universally acceptable. I disagree. We are both exercising our free speech. Everybody wins.
 

L.A.Lion

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Asking to stop someone from speaking is not free speech.
Actually, it is.

The categories of speech not protected by the First Amendment is not terribly long and includes stuff like defamation, obscenity and fraud. In Brandenburg v. Ohio the Supreme Court ruled that an Ohio statute violated the Ku Klux Klan's First Amendment right to advocate violence in general terms: "the constitutional guarantees of free speech and free press do not permit a State to forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or of law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action." A petition to the University to stop someone from speaking, even if the University acting on the petition might constitute a violation of the target's First Amendment rights, doesn't come anywhere near the line the Court drew in Brandenburg.