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House bill seeks to protect free speech

by Nikie Johnson
Senior Staff Writer

UHis free speech policies took a drubbing Wednesday in the state Legislature as lawmakers debated how to regulate expression on college campuses.

Rep. Norma Chavez told the House Higher Education Committee that she wanted to help protect "the fundamental right of free speech," which is especially important on college campuses, by ensuring universities donit regulate expression more than is necessary to keep that expression from disrupting education.

Along with UHis policies, those of the University of Texas at El Paso were criticized, while Texas A&M Universityis policy was praised. Chavez and members of the public who testified to the committee said the University of Texas used to have a policy that was too restrictive, but recently adopted a good one.

After a controversy over where students could express themselves, the UT administration formed a committee to discuss the matter, according to one witness at the hearing. They ended up adopting a policy that allows students to express their views anywhere on campus. The only restriction is that students can only use amplified sound in certain areas.

At UH, however, only four areas on campus are designated as areas for free expression, and the type of expression allowed in these zones is also regulated. At UTEP, there is only one free speech zone, which Chavez said is right outside the presidentis office so she can see everything that goes on.

Chavez, as well as two witness from the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, said this type of regulation "creates a chilling effect" by restricting the right of students to demonstrate.

She said her bill, House Bill 2447, would not prohibit universities from regulating speech so it isnit disruptive, but it would ensure "we meet out constitutional mandate."

No action was taken on the bill, or any of the 18 other bills heard Wednesday, because the committee did not meet quorum.

A bill that would promote understanding of diversity also received much public support. Also written by Chavez, the bill would require all undergraduate students to take a three-hour course on multicultural or gender studies.

She cited the "jungle juice" and "ghetto" parties that put UT and A&M in the national spotlight this semester as reasons why universities need to do more to encourage tolerance among their students.

UT students who spoke in favor of the bill said that racial tension and misunderstanding is prevalent on their campus, and that this requirement would be a "significant gesture" by the state to further civil rights.

The committee also heard a bill that would bring $25 million to UH to help pay for damages incurred during 2001is Tropical Storm Allison. There was no discussion on the bill, however.

The committee was also scheduled to hear a bill on restructuring the Tier I research funds, but the Web cast of the hearing was cut off before the end of the meeting, and The Daily Cougar was unable to determine what was discussed.

The Senate Education Committee will hear Senate Bill 1542, which relates to college tuition, today. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m.
 

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