University of Memphis: Student Newspaper Budget Cut Over Content
In May 2012, the University of Memphis' Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee (SAFAC) reduced funding for the student newspaper The Daily Helmsman by $25,000, a one-third decrease from the campus publication's previous funding levels. After concerns were raised about the cuts, SAFAC chair and Dean of Students Stephen H. Petersen questioned "whether the paper is really serving the students of the campus," and SAFAC member and Student Government Association President Tyler DeWitt made similar content-based statements as reported in the press. FIRE wrote to UM President Shirley C. Raines in August 2011, explaining how the funding cuts violated the Helmsman's First Amendment rights and SAFAC's obligation to distribute student activity funds in a viewpoint-neutral manner. UM opened an investigation into the funding decision, and on August 31, 2012 President Raines announced that the funding cuts would be reversed and the Helmsman's budget restored.
- "Response to FIRE from University of Memphis President Shirley C. Raines, August 31, 2012," August 31, 2012
- "Report on Daily Helmsman 2012-2013 SAFAC Funding Review, August 31, 2012," August 31, 2012
- "Letter from FIRE to University of Memphis President Shirley C. Raines, August 24, 2012," August 24, 2012
- "Funding Notice Letter from SAFAC Chair Stephen H. Petersen, May 9, 2012," May 9, 2012
Case Materials
- "Report Details First Amendment Violations Against ‘Helmsman’ and Promises Future Changes," by Peter Bonilla, September 18, 2012
- "Funding for ‘The Daily Helmsman’ Restored," by Bridget Glackin, September 4, 2012
- "FIRE Urges on University of Memphis Investigation, Calls for Restoration of Cut Newspaper Funds - UPDATE 9/1: Funds Restored," by Peter Bonilla, August 31, 2012
- "‘Memphis Flyer’ Chronicles ‘Helmsman’s’ First Amendment Battles," by Peter Bonilla, August 17, 2012
- "University of Memphis Student Fee Board Only Funds Speech it Likes," by Andrew Kloster, August 1, 2012
