Montclair State University: Student Group Faces De-funding for Protected Expression
Following an extended dispute between Montclair State University's Student Government Association and The Montclarion over the lack of press access to closed meetings, SGA President Ron Chicken declared that the paper's funding would be frozen on the first day of Montclair State's Spring 2008 semester. An SGA employee even contacted the paper's publishing company and instructed it to halt future production of The Montclarion. FIRE wrote a letter to Montclair State President Susan A. Cole denouncing the SGA's actions and calling on Montclair State's administration to intervene and defend freedom of the press. Soon after, FIRE received a reply stating that the SGA had restored all of The Montclarion's funds and promising that "the administration will work with both groups to create an independent status for The Montclarion so that this type of incident can not reoccur."
- "Twin Victories for Free Expression at Montclair State and Central Washington Universities," March 11, 2008: FIRE has successfully intervened to protect the rights of student groups at New Jersey's Montclair State University and Central Washington University after student governments at both universities threatened to de-fund the groups for engaging in constitutionally protected expression. At Montclair State, the Student Government Association (SGA) froze funding to the student newspaper, The Montclarion, in retaliation for the paper's attempts to gain access to closed-door SGA meetings. Meanwhile, at CWU, the College Republicans were investigated and faced possible loss of funding after they posted flyers promoting an on-campus speech by controversial illegal immigration opponent and Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist.
- "Letter from Montclair State University Vice President Karen L. Pennington to FIRE, February 29, 2008," February 29, 2008
- "FIRE's Letter to Montclair State University President Susan A. Cole, February 26, 2008," February 26, 2008
Case Materials
- "Twin Victories At Central Washington, Montclair State as First Amendment Trumps Student Government Censorship," by William Creeley, March 11, 2008
