University of Maryland
Maryland university system devising policy on student displays of porn films
Groups raise free-speech concerns as state works on first such plan in U.S.
The long and short of this story is that the University is planning to meet, not necessarily make a policy, on the showing of pornography openly for the student body. Word on the campus says, the policies that could be brought to the table involve the coupling of screenings with small educational seminars on “free speech and media.” It seems that the University does not plan on banning the screenings of adult content, but wish to change the theme from “pure entertainment” to “educational.”
The student body is shocked that politics could play such a role in this harmless event. Personally, I don’t understand how you could be shocked when the school could find itself explaining a public showing of sexual activity to an incoming freshman’s parents. On the other hand, I can’t help but disagree with the University’s plan to meet at all over a sanctioned student body event. The school obviously placed their stamp of approval on adult screenings way before it became large enough for media attention.
Like many other higher education decisions, this stinks of a Public Relations mess. School approves something in the interest of maintaining approval from the student body, then finds itself stating an opposing opinion when an outside ear catches word of the event. My hope in this situation is the same as the Maryland students. Decide to stick to your guns Mr. University, and find the use for no policy. Forget the fact that some people may not agree with you letting students view what they want in a public forum, and fight for their maturity in not abusing the freedom.
Sometimes giving an inch will give you yards, and taking an inch can lose you an entire field.
