Long Island University Post: Student Summoned to Conduct Meeting for Alleged Possession of Forbidden Flyers

During the fall 2018 semester, flyers titled “Common Sense” appeared on LIU Post’s campus criticizing university administrators, particularly President Kimberly Cline. In May 2019, just days before he was set to graduate, Jake Gutowitz received a letter from LIU Post administrator Nicole Thomas accusing him of possession and distribution of these flyers. Gutowitz attended a meeting with Thomas and denied involvement with posting the flyers, but he has never received a written resolution of the allegations. FIRE wrote to LIU Post on September 25, 2019, to voice concerns about the chilling effect such investigations have on student expression, which violates the university’s free speech commitments. The university has not responded.