New demonstration and poster policies seem targeted, lack student input

By Thresher Editorial Board     9/10/24 11:34pm

Rice recently updated its policies on campus demonstration and postering — changes include new restrictions on campus protests and increased vigilance about signage, to name a few.  Students need to be informed about these changes. We worry they weren’t.

The administration emailed staff and faculty Aug. 30, informing them of these changes. It’s been 10 days. Students have yet to receive any notice. In the email obtained by the Thresher, the university said the changes were made in the name of clarity. But neglecting to notify students, those who primarily organize demonstrations and hang up posters, is anything but clear. At best, it seems like an oversight. At worst, it seems like Rice is trying to catch students in a “gotcha” moment.

We know these changes follow a wave of tension, at Rice and nationally, as students protested the war in Gaza.

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Though we agree with codifying existing campus policies, we believe free speech is more necessary than ever. We’re a newspaper — of course we do. 

The campus protest policies seem overly targeted toward long, multi-day demonstrations — much like Rice Students for Justice in Palestine’s “liberated zone” we saw last spring, or any of the many encampments at universities nationwide. However, Rice SJP has consistently met and communicated with administration in advance of their demonstrations, which the Thresher has independently verified. Unlike other campuses, Rice’s protests never seemed too volatile, nor have they resulted in police sweeps or arrests.

Why punish the students who are willing to cooperate with you? It seems like an odd choice for a university that routinely touts its “culture of care.”

Also concerning is the new poster policy, which now allows any Rice employee to remove posters that don’t comply with the rules. We wonder if all employees receive training about Policy 856 and know how to make these judgment calls. If not, they should be — or Rice should revert to an old version of the policy, in which only staff could remove noncompliant posters.

Posters and signage are a form of student expression. Students should know who’s monitoring them.

The lack of transparency here sets a poor precedent. We hope the university can remedy that by communicating with the student body more often, being honest about policy changes and consulting with the people most impacted. Students are willing to communicate. Administration should extend that same courtesy back.

Editor’s Note: News Editor Sarah Knowlton was recused from this editorial due to her corresponding reporting in the news section. Arts & Entertainment Editor Arman Saxena was recused due to his involvement with Rice SJP.

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