Ohio University: Political Flyers Censored in Dorms
In September 2012, Ohio University student Jillyann Burns posted a flyer on the door to her residence hall room, criticizing the policy positions of President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. Shortly after Burns posted her flyer, a resident assistant warned residents that "NO political posters/flyers should be hung in the hallways or on you[r] door until 14 days before an election." Following a room inspection on September 17, Burns was informed again of this requirement and the possibility of discipline if she did not comply. FIRE wrote to OU on September 28, informing the university that its restrictions on political flyers violated students' First Amendment rights. On October 1, Burns was informed that she was once again allowed to post political materials on her door, and that OU would revise and clarify its policies.
- "With Election Day Close, Ohio University Ends Political Censorship in Dorms," October 9, 2012: Ohio University dorms are no longer censoring students' political speech, freeing students to make their voices heard in the final weeks before Election Day. After student Jillyann Burns was ordered to remove a flyer criticizing both President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney from her residence hall door, she turned to FIRE for help.
- "Letter from Ohio University General Counsel John Biancamano to FIRE, October 5, 2012," October 5, 2012
- "Email from Micah McCarey to Jillyann Burns, October 1, 2012," October 1, 2012
- "FIRE letter to Ohio University, September 28, 2012," September 28, 2012
- "Room Health and Safety Inspection Form, September 17, 2012," September 17, 2012
- "Modified Ohio University Students for Liberty Flyer September 17, 2012," September 17, 2012
- "Email from Andrea Stacho to James Hall Residents, September 6, 2012," September 6, 2012
- "Ohio University Students for Liberty Flyer, September 4, 2012," September 4, 2012
- "Ohio University 2012-12 Student Housing Handbook, May 7, 2012," May 7, 2012
Case Materials
- "What’s 'Out of Proportion' About Defending the First Amendment?," by Peter Bonilla, October 15, 2012
- "With Election Day Close, Ohio University Ends Political Censorship in Dorms," October 9, 2012
Blog Entries
- "Free Speech on Politics at School,"
by Bob Kellogg, One News Now, October 16, 2012 - "Jillyann Burns, Libertarian Ohio University Student, Wins Free Speech Fight,"
by Andrea Stone, The Huffington Post, October 10, 2012
