DePaul University: Student Punished For Exposing Vandals of Pro-Life Display

On January 22, 2013, DePaul's Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter organized a display of pink and blue flags to mark the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. Several students vandalized the display, removing flags and throwing them in the trash. Del Campo, YAF's chairman, reported the vandalism to DePaul's public safety department, which investigated the vandalism. After 13 students admitted to the vandalism, DePaul provided Del Campo with a report with their names. On February 5, the national YAF organization posted that report online. On February 8, Del Campo was charged with two conduct violations, including "Disorderly, Violent, Intimidating or Dangerous Behavior" for releasing the report. FIRE wrote to DePaul's President, Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, on February 21, arguing that the charges violated Del Campo's right to speak about his own case. Nevertheless, Del Campo was found responsible on both charges, placed on judicial probation, and required to complete a reflection letter. DePaul has declined to address FIRE's specific concerns.