UNT to revise campus free speech policy

by Corey Hennigan of North Texas Daily

Following last week's free speech protest, interim Dean of Students Mona Hicks met with the Free Speech Coalition Tuesday to redraft UNT's policy concerning free speech areas.

According to the UNT policy manual, NT "maintains its right to regulate reasonable time, place and manner restrictions concerning acts of expression and dissent."

Hicks said UNT President Gretchen Bataille thinks the issue is important and supports the change, which would make all public areas on campus, with the exception of administration buildings, dorms and classrooms, open to free speech.

Should the Board of Regents approve the new policy, Hicks said it would be in place by the end of the semester.

"It feels good," said geography senior David Sindt, a member of the Free Speech Coalition. "It's something that should have been there all along. It's good to know that constitutional rights are ultimately prevailing."

Hicks said the Office of the General Counsel, which is helping Bataille draft the new code with the Free Speech Coalition, would uphold the new law.

She said the Student Government Association has been involved in the policy changes because it is the voice of the students and has the responsibility to be educated in the matter.

Sindt said the policy change was a new precedent for the university, as previous administrations had not been as receptive to changing it.

According to a Daily article from Nov. 16, 2005, a meeting between the dean of students and representatives from various campus organizations protesting the free speech areas, including the Gay and Lesbian Association of Denton, National Organization for Women, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance and the Young Conservatives of Texas, yielded no changes.

Sindt praised Hicks for her work on the issue.

"She has displayed huge levels of competence," he said. "I hope she sticks around. I think she'd be an asset to the NT community."

Hicks praised the efforts of the society and its members.

"These students have taken the effort to be informed for themselves," she said. "They have made a good effort to inform their peers. They took the time to do it the right way, and I respect them for it."