FIRE’s Will Creeley Heads to Kentucky to Speak at UK, EKU

Tomorrow, FIRE's Director of Legal and Public Advocacy Will Creeley heads to the Bluegrass State to discuss student rights at the University of Kentucky (UK) and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU).

At both schools, Creeley will examine the state of the law on freedom of speech on today's college campuses, discussing the decades of legal precedent upholding First Amendment protections on college campuses, common restrictions on student and faculty speech, and shocking instances of censorship on campus. Creeley will also answer questions about how students can best protect their rights and the limited exceptions to freedom of expression.

For those of you that follow FIRE happenings closely, you might remember that earlier this year EKU eliminated all of its speech codes to earn FIRE's "green light" rating for free expression, meaning there are no policies at EKU that imperil speech on campus. Only 16 schools in the United States have received this rating from FIRE. Creeley will explain the changes to EKU's code and how those changes encourage an environment conducive to free inquiry on campus.

While EKU may be stealing the free speech spotlight in Kentucky, UK hasn't been left outside of the student rights beat either. Yesterday, UK student Austin Woods penned an op-ed for the Kentucky Kernel pointing out some the problems posed by the school's "yellow light" rating.

If you are in the area, head out to hear Will speak and show him some of that Southern hospitality.

Eastern Kentucky University Speech

When: Tuesday, April 2 at 11 a.m.
Where: At the Powell Underground on EKU's campus (located at the bottom level of the Powell Building, just behind the food court).
What else?: The talk is sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists as part of their First Amendment Week Celebration.

University of Kentucky Speech

When: Wednesday, April 3 at 6 p.m.
Where: In room 102 of the White Hall Classroom Building on UK's campus.
What else?: The talk is sponsored by the UK chapter of Young Americans for Liberty as part of their Free Speech Week Celebration.