Hampton University: Punishment of Students for Literature Distribution
Hampton University students were not allowed to pass out literature on campus without university consent. After a student group was punished for handing out anti-Bush literature, FIRE sent a letter to Hampton, asking them to reaffirm their commitments to the First Amendment. Hampton decided not to expel the students but they were still sentenced to community service, despite Hampton's commitment to free speech and expression.
- "Partial Victory for Free Speech at Hampton," December 6, 2005: Hampton University in Virginia has decided not to expel at least five of seven students for passing out anti-Bush flyers without university approval. Hampton students’ ability to pass out literature without university censorship was the subject of a letter sent by FIRE to the Virginia institution late last week.
- "FIRE Letter to Hampton University President William R. Harvey, December 1, 2005," December 1, 2005
- "Letter from Hampton University Dean of Men Woodson Hopewell to Aaron Ray, November 28, 2005," November 28, 2005
Case Materials
- "Network Aims to Help Harassed Campus Conservatives,"
by Kelley Vlahos, Fox News, December 26, 2005 - "FIRE Protests Students' Punishment for Handing Out Anti-Bush Flyers,"
by Jim Brown, Agape Press, December 13, 2005 - "Clash of campus freedom, civility,"
by Andrew Petkofsky, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Va.), December 11, 2005 - "College News Roundup,"
by Olivia Rosane, Columbia Spectator, December 5, 2005 - "HU parents breathe sigh of relief,"
by Wil LaVeist, Daily Press (Hampton Roads, Va.), December 4, 2005 - "Five HU students must do community service,"
by Beverly Williams, Daily Press (Hampton Roads, Va.), December 3, 2005
