Censorship at Hampton University

(updated December 6, 2005)

UPDATE: "HU demonstrators disciplined for fliers." (Hampton Roads Daily Press, Dec. 6, 2005)

Hampton University held a hearing for December 2, 2005 to discipline seven students accused of violating campus rules by passing out "unauthorized" fliers and holding an "unauthorized" protest. Hampton is punishing the students with "community service," which means that peaceful protests and fliers are still banned on campus, and these students face even harsher penalties if they protest the administration or the government. Hampton's rules, and the arbitrary enforcement against progressive students, violate the principles of academic freedom and student rights which are essential at any college.

Background about the Case:

"Corporate Plantation": Article by Hampton students about suppression of free speech at Hampton University (Nov. 23, 2005)

Foundation for Individual Rights in Education website on the Hampton case (Dec. 2005)

Campus Anti-war.net Action Alerts and statement in defense of Hampton students (Dec. 3, 2005)

Nation Alert about the Hampton case (Nov. 30, 2005)

article by John K. Wilson on repression of anti-war views at Hampton University and several other universities across the country (the Indy, Nov. 30, 2005)

letter from Foundation for Individual Rights in Education to Hampton President William Harvey (Dec. 1, 2005)

News Coverage of the Censorship at Hampton:

second article from InsideHigherEd.com (Dec. 5, 2005)

"HU parents breathe sigh of relief," Daily Press (Hampton Roads, Va.), December 4, 2005

Hampton students punished with compulsory community service for "crime" of protesting. (Daily Press, Dec. 3, 2005)

initial article from InsideHigherEd.com (Nov. 30, 2005)

Democracy Now interview with one of the Hampton students (Dec. 2, 2005)

"At Hampton University, restrictions shouldn't muzzle students." (editorial, Daily Press, Nov. 30, 2005)

"HU would give the wrong message by punishing activists" (op-ed by Hampton faculty member, Daily Press, Nov. 27, 2005)

"HU students facing discipline" (news article, Daily Press, November 23, 2005)

article from the Virginian Pilot (Dec. 1, 2005)

Video report from WAVY-TV (Dec. 1, 2005)
 

Documents about the Hampton Case:

Letter sent by Hampton officials to students accused of violating campus rules (jpg).

Selections from Hampton handbook prohibiting students who cajole, post unauthorized fliers, or hold unapproved protests on campus (jpgs).

Example of anti-war flier handed out to students (jpg).

United Students Against Sweatshops action alert about Hampton

To join a petition against the Hampton censorship, email youth_students@worldcantwait.org.

For more information about the Hampton censorship case, contact collegefreedom@yahoo.com.

Past Censorship at Hampton: Banning the Campus Newspaper

http://www.facultyvoice.com/News/news2003/11-November%20/Hampton.html

http://www.splc.org/newsflash.asp?id=906

·  After controversy, Hampton U. adopts policies ensuring free-press rights News Flash, 1/5/2004

·  Editors group pulls funding from Hampton U. after president seized papers News Flash, 11/12/2003

·  Hampton U. president limits authority, changes makeup of newspaper task force News Flash, 10/31/2003

·  Va. university seizes newspapers after editors refused to run letter on front page News Flash, 10/27/2003

http://www.blackcollegewire.org/voices/031028_anderson-hampton

Hampton Script disclaimer: http://www.blackcollegewire.org/voices/031028_anderson-hampton/031028_script_lg