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Gonzaga University: Censorship of ‘Hate Speech’

Gonzaga University has reaffirmed the value of freedom of speech after unfairly disciplining a student group for posting fliers with allegedly "discriminatory" language. In response to a letter from FIRE, President Robert J. Spitzer agreed to rescind punishment of the Gonzaga College Republicans. The group had been disciplined after it posted fliers containing the word "hates" as part of the title of an upcoming speaker's book: Why the Left Hates America.

Case Materials

• "Letter from Gonzaga University Director of Public Relations Dale Goodwin to FIRE, December 4, 2003," December 4, 2003
• "Letter from Gonzaga University Director of Public Relations Dale Goodwin to FIRE, December 4, 2003," December 4, 2003
• "Update: Gonzaga Plays With the Truth; Denies That Punishment for Using Word "Hate" Ever Occurred," December 4, 2003
• "Victory: Gonzaga Revokes ‘Hate Speech’ Punishment," November 25, 2003: Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington has reaffirmed the value of freedom of speech after unfairly disciplining a group for posting fliers with allegedly "discriminatory" language. In response to a letter from FIRE, Gonzaga agreed to lift the punishment of the College Republicans for posting fliers containing the word "hate." The word was used as part of the title of the speaker's book, Why the Left Hates America.
• "Letter from Gonzaga University Vice President of Student Life Sue Weitz to FIRE, October 23, 2003," October 23, 2003
• "FIRE Letter to Gonzaga University President Robert J. Spitzer, October 20, 2003," October 20, 2003
• "Flyer," October 7, 2003
• "Letter from Gonzaga University Office of Student Activies Disciplining the College Republicans, October 1, 2003," October 1, 2003

Media Coverage

• "Practical Advice for Fraternities Caught in the Battle for Free Speech on Campus,"
  by Matthew Vasconcellos and Greg Lukianoff, Fraternal Law, September 16, 2004
• "The Philadelphia Inquirer, USA Today, and the Pasadena Star-News on FIRE,"
  , March 3, 2004
• "Must've Been Something They Hate--II,"
  by James Taranto, The Wall Street Journal, November 28, 2003
• "University Revokes 'Hate Speech' Punishment,"
  , WorldNetDaily, November 26, 2003
• "University revokes 'hate speech' punishment,"
  , WorldNetDaily, November 26, 2003
• "Flier's Wording Generates National Attention,"
  , The Bulletin, November 21, 2003
• "University Restricts Students Over 'Hate ' Speech,"
  by Randy Hall, CNSNews, October 6, 2003