Cindy Downes

Jan. 28, 2009 - Why a Private College Might be a Better Choice

For those of you who are getting ready to send your children off to college, here is some information you might want to consider. I am currently attending a public college here in Oklahoma and currently taking a Mass Communication Law class. This week's lesson is on student rights at college campuses. Here is a quote:

"The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals enunciated what are now the well-established rules concerning censorship of the college press:

The fact that a state university provides funding, faculty or departmental advice, or campus facilities does not authorize university officials to censor the content of a student publication.

Individual four-letter words are insufficient reason to censor;

The state university cannot be considered the same as a private publisher with absolute arbitrary power to control content;

The university is an arm of the state, cannot make private publisher decisions about content;

The university cannot be held liable for the content of student publications."

This ruling was made in the case where students had published two short stories with "bad" language and subject matter. I can't repeat the incidence here, but trust me, it's not what you'd want to hear!

This kind of reasoning also regulates the teaching at the state university. I have heard more than a few discussions that are, to say the least, interesting, but fully protected in the courts as Free Speech.

My main reason for writing this is for those of you who are thinking of sending your children to a public college before they graduate. This is a warning of to you. Your children are not protected from "bad" language and other forms of expression in a public college as they are in a public high school where there is still some restraint on Free Speech because of the age of the children.

Feb. 3, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

I am hoping that my kids will be able to test out of a lot of the requisite college courses- or get dual credit at the community college while in high school. Perhaps some of the more ridiculous spoutings in college courses will taper off a little by the time they reach upper level courses- but then again, that depends on the courses, doesn't it?

Ahh.. much to think about! I am glad that I still have another 10 yrs before they are "officially" college aged.

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