University Speech Codes

After reading the article “Jim Crow on Fraternity Row” I was extremely surprised.  I know that a lot of jokes, pranks and hazing go on in the Fraternity lifestyle.  These boys were not just “being boys”, they were being disrespectful and ignorant. Their actions were not in protest of anything. Their actions were not the result of anything that has happened to them. There was no reason for them to behave that way.  All they accomplished was being jerks and offending people.  After reading the article I looked at the slide of pictures. It was obvious to me that the boys were simply trying to be funny. They had no cruel intentions, they were just being dumb.  I believe their actions did violate the first amendment.  The cases we have read and discussed in class that deal with first amendment rights typically have to do with a protest. For example, when the Tinker children wore armbands to school they were protesting the Vietnam War. They are allowed to express how they feel about that issue. Revoking their right to peaceful protest was a violation of their rights.  These fraternity members were not protesting anything. The University has the rights to ban these actions and punish those who participated because there was no logical explanation for them, they were obscene and offensive, and they were very threatening and could create a violent and hostile atmosphere. The actions of these boys are not protected under the first amendment.
    I selected University of Iowa. I have already applied to this school, so I am very interested in what speech codes they may have. Their speech code put a lot of emphasis on sexual harassment. They didn’t use vague terms like the ones we read about for homework. I like that they are very descriptive so that it is not a question whether some behavior falls under the speech code or not. They specifically listed what actions would not be tolerated.
(a) persistent unwelcomed efforts to develop a romantic or sexual relationship
(b) unwelcome commentary about an individual's body or sexual activities
(c) unwanted sexual attention
(d) repeated and unwelcome sexually-oriented teasing, joking, or flirting
(e) verbal abuse of a sexual nature.
Being a female I have had my share of run ins with these types of situations. They can be harmless or very hurtful. Knowing that these rules are established at a school I am interested in makes me feel safe. I know that I am protected and don’t have to be worry about any of these unpleasant things occurring. And if they do I know that there will be consequences for the other person. I think that these limits of freedom of speech are necessary to create a safe living environment. No one wants to go to school where they are afraid of being sexually harassed. This speech code makes me more confident in my decision to apply to the University of Iowa because I feel safe.
    I believe that the University of Iowa would not have tolerated the actions of the Fraternity brothers. They list out everything and the actions of the boys violated more than one of their rules. I agree with the Universities’ decision to punish the boys. They were creating a threatening environment and definitely disturbed the peace.
    I think that FIRE is a great sight. It allows students to research the schools they are interested in at a deeper level. Someone like me wants to know that they are safe and there are clear restrictions keeping me safe. Other people want more freedom and are opposed to speech codes. This sight allows people to see where  they fit best to avoid an unpleasant experience.  I think everybody has the right to know what he or she are getting themselves into. If you know yourself to be an active protester this sight could help you find a school that will allow that type of behavior.  And same goes for people on the other side of the spectrum. I appreciate this sight because it has given me peace of mind on the school I applied to.
    Overall I am totally for speech codes. I do not think that they are a violation of the first amendment because they reprimand actions that disturb the peace, create hostility, violence and threaten personal safety. I will be in college soon and speech codes make me feel safe. I still have my freedom to voice my opinions and feelings.  I simply have to do so in a manner that does not violate the codes. I think the codes are very direct and reasonable. Following them will be extremely simple and overall enrich my college experience.