jakearoma1
Recruit
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2014
- Messages
- 4
My email to Shalala:
I am writing to you to express my displeasure for the actions of the athletic department during Saturday’s basketball game. A university employee confiscated two signs created by students that were calling for the removal of Al Golden as the head football coach. The signs did not contain vulgarity and expressed the opinions shared by the majority of the fan base. A university is meant to be an environment where new ideas are cultivated, assumptions are questioned, and opinions are discussed freely. These opinions include those that are unpopular, and those which the university administration disagrees with. In a recent Dialogue letter, you stated the following: “We are a family of thinkers and doers who act with passion and purpose. And the best action you can take to effect change is to let your voice be heard.” I find it ironic that when students want their voices to be heard, the university censors their opinions because they expose the fecklessness of the athletic department. I am disappointed and concerned at the measure that the university is willing to employ in order to silence dissent. If the university could show the same promptness and passion in dealing with our ailing football team as they do to silence criticism, then perhaps the students would not have bring those signs to the basketball games.
Her response:
We don’t allow signs at games as far as I know—but I didn’t see any signs or many students at the game—we listen to all voices. Most BB venues have put limits or signage for safety reasons. Let me assure you our students voices are never silenced here!
Our next basketball game is Saturday at 4:00 pm.
I am writing to you to express my displeasure for the actions of the athletic department during Saturday’s basketball game. A university employee confiscated two signs created by students that were calling for the removal of Al Golden as the head football coach. The signs did not contain vulgarity and expressed the opinions shared by the majority of the fan base. A university is meant to be an environment where new ideas are cultivated, assumptions are questioned, and opinions are discussed freely. These opinions include those that are unpopular, and those which the university administration disagrees with. In a recent Dialogue letter, you stated the following: “We are a family of thinkers and doers who act with passion and purpose. And the best action you can take to effect change is to let your voice be heard.” I find it ironic that when students want their voices to be heard, the university censors their opinions because they expose the fecklessness of the athletic department. I am disappointed and concerned at the measure that the university is willing to employ in order to silence dissent. If the university could show the same promptness and passion in dealing with our ailing football team as they do to silence criticism, then perhaps the students would not have bring those signs to the basketball games.
Her response:
We don’t allow signs at games as far as I know—but I didn’t see any signs or many students at the game—we listen to all voices. Most BB venues have put limits or signage for safety reasons. Let me assure you our students voices are never silenced here!
Our next basketball game is Saturday at 4:00 pm.
