Earlier this week I posted a letter from the Attorney General of Florida to the president of the University of Florida. What follows, courtesy of the Daily News, is the speech-chilling letter from UF V.P. for Student Affairs Patricia Telles-Irvin that provoked the AG’s communication. What follows after that letter is a stunning rebuke to Telles-Irvin from Professor Steven J. Willis, faculty advisor for the Law School Republicans:
November 26, 2007
To: All University Students
From: Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin
Vice President for Student Affairs
Re: Official Response to a recent advertisement for the movie “Obsession”
“Throughout our country, we have witnessed a rise in offensive behavior and actions taken against others, which has created greater divisiveness and misunderstandings among the various ethnic groups residing in our communities. One of these events occurred on our campus recently with the promotion of an event.”
“Advertisements for the movie “Obsession” sponsored by several student organizations appeared during the past several weeks on campus bulletin boards and they illustrate the importance of balancing freedom of speech with responsibility.”
“The ads, which promoted a showing of the movie on Nov. 13 and a panel discussion afterward, entitled “Radical Islam Wants You Dead,” offended many Muslim students on campus. Regardless of its original intent, the language reinforced a negative stereotype, created unnecessary divisiveness and contributed to a generalization that only furthers the misunderstanding of the religion of Islam.”
“We cannot speak of rights without also addressing the responsibility associated with our actions or statements, including understanding the potential consequences. One of our roles as a learning institution is to teach our students to express themselves freely, and also in a fair and conscientious manner. In an academic setting, differences of opinions are strongly encouraged, yet such opinions must be based on accurate information when describing other members of the community.”
“Unfortunately, in the case of the “Obsession” ads, that did not happen. I believe the groups that posted them owe the campus, and particularly campus members of the Islamic faith, an apology and a clarification.”
“At the University of Florida we have embraced a set of values, one of which is diversity. Diversity is not just about having representation from various cultures on campus, it also is having each member contribute to an inclusive and safe environment and collectively enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the richness brought by such differences. The University of Florida is committed to being an institution of excellence, where all members are valued and feel safe on our campus. Our role as an institution is to create opportunities for students to learn in an open and accepting environment; one that emphasizes respect for all. Let’s remember that part of our mission is to prepare each other to be effective members of a global community. With that in mind, I encourage each member of our campus community as a start to learn more about the religion of Islam and some of its tenets of peace, hard work, charity and compassion.”
“There is little room for divisiveness in our world if we are to find peace and understanding among us. We all can win if we focus on greater inclusion and understanding as well as the delicate balance between our rights and responsibilities.”
Dr. Patricia Telles-Irvin
And here is the text of the letter Professor Willis sent to Telles-Irivn in response:
November 27, 2007
Dear Dr. Telles-Irvin:
“I am the registered faculty advisor for the Law School Republicans. In the future, please provide me with a copy of all correspondence from your office to this or any otherorganization for which I am the registered advisor. If this is not your existing policy, I
respectfully ask that you make it so. In the alternative, I will ask the Faculty Senate to take appropriate action such that the Administration shall inform, in advance, Registered Faculty Advisors for student groups of any important matters affecting the groups. In particular, this should include notice of disciplinary action, be it formal or informal – including public requests for apologies.”
“Your letter of November 26, 2007 “To: All University Students” is disturbing onseveral levels. Likewise, the prior email correspondence from Eugene L. Zdziarski, II, Ph.D. Assistant Vice-President, Student Affairs, Dean of Students, University of Florida, was also disturbing.”
“Regardless of how you and Dr. Zdviarski feel about the organization and its joint actions with others, you owe them due process of law. That would include reasonable notification to them and to their advisors regarding proposed meetings, as well as reasonable attempts to discuss disciplinary matters with their advisors. You and your office provided neither. Your office supported a meeting last week – which included the loaded words “Racism” and “Discrimination” in the title. You provided me with no notice. You provided the students with inadequate notice. Now, one day after the ThanksgivingHoliday break, you issue an “Official Response” from the University. In it you confusingly
state – using first person – that you “believe” the groups owe an apology to the campus and others, as well as clarification. Again, you provided me with no notice and you provided the students – and their legal counsel – no opportunity to be heard in advance.”
“That action was inappropriate. You should retract it. While you are free to state yourpersonal opinion, when you issue an “Official Response” in the name of the University, you
have limitations on your right to speak. You owe due process. You may not threaten or
intimidate others in their exercise of their rights to assemble or to speak:”
“760.51 Violations of constitutional rights, civil action by the Attorney General; civilpenalty.– “
“(2) Any person who interferes by threats, intimidation, or coercion, or attempts to interfere by threats, intimidation, or coercion, with the exercise or enjoyment by any other person of rights secured by the State Constitution or laws of this state is liable for a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation. This penalty may be recovered in any action brought under this section by the Attorney General. A civil penalty so collected shall accrue to the state and shall be deposited as received into the General Revenue Fund unallocated.”
“As a licensed and former practicing psychologist, you unquestionably realize howintimidating your letter is to students. If you intended it to be intimidating – and thus chilling of the group’s free speech rights – you not only violate Florida Law, but you also prove yourself unfit for your high position. If, in the alternative, you do not comprehend how intimidating your letter and your office’s actions have been, then you really should not be dealing with students.”
“I do not – at the present – want a lengthy debate on Constitutional Law with you.But, let’s be clear: you fundamentally misunderstand both the Florida and the United States Constitutions. Students at the University of Florida have the right to free speech under both Constitutions. Regardless of what you may feel about the wisdom of their speech or the accuracy of their information, you must understand that both their posting of the flyers and their showing of the movie are constitutionally protected actions. Your arguments about “diversity” and “responsibility” and “divisiveness” are irrelevant to that fundamental issue: the actions are protected speech and you have no right – in your “Official” capacity – to censure them, either before or after the fact. Indeed, you have the obligation not to do so. You are the one behaving inappropriately and you are the one who should apologize.”
“Members of the UF community – some wearing hoods – tore down most of the legally posted flyers. After the groups replaced the flyers, someone removed them again. Why are you not investigating and condemning this violation of law and free speech? Where is your outrage that a student disrupted a recent speech by a United States Senator? Where is your outrage that others – some wearing hoods – disrupted a recent speech by a former Attorney General of the United States?”
“I believe Islam is a great religion. I believe students should use good judgment inexercising their rights. I believe they should be cognizant of others’ feelings. I believe they should consider the possibility that others’ may misunderstand some statements: English grammar rules leave much to be desired. In my role as Faculty Advisor, I advise consistent with my beliefs. In your role as Vice President, so do you. We undoubtedly agree on many issues. However, we clearly disagree on others. “Radical Islam Wants You Dead” is a constitutionally protected statement, your misunderstanding of the Constitution notwithstanding. How a grammarian might deconstruct the sentence – either placing the word “radical” as a restrictive adjective or as part of a proper noun – is unimportant from a legal standpoint. Many people believe the statement is factually correct, however inconsistent with traditional Islam the radical factions may be. Those persons are ones who correctly see the word radical as a restrictive adjective. What I believe about the statement is no longer important. What you believe is irrelevant. I have advised as a Faculty Advisor and I now also advise as an Attorney.”
“You have violated our organization’s rights, as well as the rights of its members. Youhave violated Florida Law by intimidating or attempting to intimidate students and citizens in their exercise of protected rights. You should retract your letter and apologize to the student organizations and to the student body.”
Respectfully yours,Steven J. Willis
Professor of Law
Member, University of Florida Faculty Senate