Clemson University: Student Charged with Harassment and Disorderly Conduct for Single Email

Clemson student William Kirwan was charged with "Disorderly Conduct," "Harassment," "Failure to Comply with Official Request," and "Computer Misuse" after he told Clemson administrator Laura McMaster via email that "I'm not going to let you bully the organization into doing the things you want us to do or perceive as important" with regard to his group's choice not to participate in a student organization fair, and joked that she was "smoking crack." FIRE wrote Clemson president James F. Barker on May 24, 2010, to remind him that Kirwan's speech was protected by the First Amendment. Clemson dropped all charges against Kirwan the following day.