Year in Review, Fall: Intimidation Addressed

Several students reported feeling intimidated by the administration in the wake of conversations held about views or opinions they had publicly expressed. Whether they were published in an article in The Exonian, or vocalized in an open forum, students and faculty alike were spoken to by administrators about their opinions. And although the administrators viewed these meetings as a productive opportunity to clear apparent misconceptions or misfacts that the students may have included in their statements, students have felt otherwise. The discussions were instead viewed as intimidating confrontations. The intent of the meetings was not to intimidate, but because of the power that the administration has over students, that was often the reaction. The fear that the administration would respond in that nature to opinions resulted in self-censorship from students and faculty who may have potentially controversial opinions. An article published in The Exonian addressing the issue of intimidation and self-censorship triggered a debate on campus. Classes, Student Council and the Publications Committee addressed censorship on campus and the implications of the article published in The Exonian.