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John McCain sign removal questioned
Policy confusion results in meeting with legislators
By Kevin Lessmiller
“The administration admitted fault on many occasions” – Matt Capristo, UWM College Republicans Communication Director
A John McCain sign that was hanging in a UW-Milwaukee College Republicans office window has been removed by UWM administration, raising questions about specific student organization sign policies.
UWM officials cited the following guideline as justification for the removal of the posting: “The only acceptable postings on exterior windows shall be the names and logos of the organizations in question”.
Following the removal of the McCain sign, UWM Vice Chancellor for University Relations Tom Luljak ordered the examination of all student organization signs in fairness to the College Republicans. The Leader and the Black Student Union (BSU) were also found to be in violation of the standing policy.
Last Monday Oct. 6, several state legislators met with Tyler Kristopeit and Matt Capristo of the College Republicans, Luljak, and Dr. Helen Mamarchev, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Capristo, Communications Director for the College Republicans, called the meeting “productive”.
“The administration admitted fault on many occasions,” said Capristo. “For not applying the policy earlier, [and] for miscommunications with signs during tabling where we were told to remove McCain signs that were on the wall behind our table.”
During said tabling, the College Democrats reportedly had a Barack Obama sign posted behind their table and were not told to remove the sign. Capristo said that UWM officials admitted there was no policy regarding political signs at student organization tables, and that they were wrong in forcing the remove of the McCain sign in that instance.
The Leader and the BSU violations related to banners hanging outside their respective offices. The Leader had a banner calling itself a fine arts newspaper, while BSU had postings advertising for the recruitment of new members.
Both were in violation because the signs went beyond the names and logos of the organizations. The College Republicans argue that, just as they should be allowed to promote their presidential candidate, the Leader should be able to call itself a fine arts paper and BSU should be allowed to try to recruit students.
Capristo says the student conservative organization is hoping for a review of the sign policy by the Union Policy Board, ideally leading to an amendment of the policy, and sooner rather later.
“We want a policy where the scope and mission of the organization should be taken into consideration,” he said.
Calls to Luljak over the weekend seeking comment were not returned.
> Comments
Georgia on Oct 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM:
aren't there more consequential happenings at UWM to examine?
Kyle J. Duerstein on Oct 13, 2008 at 10:12 PM:
No, there aren't. What's more consequential then UWM administrators stifling the free speech of its students? Not much.
Good One on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:42 AM:
The real underlying issue is how Tyler Kristopeit helped to steal the S.A. election, how the illegitimate SUFC party stole prime office space, and then how they whine like babies about this even though they don't give a damn about free speech.
On another note, good to see you still here, commenting, Kyle. How old are you now? Are you a successful journalist yet or just a fat loser?
Kyle J. Duerstein on Oct 14, 2008 at 11:25 AM:
Tyler Kristopeit had nothing to do with "stealing" the SA election. Perhaps if Scott Dettman would play by the rules instead of ignoring them, he would've won.
What evidence do you have that we don't care about free speech? The fact that we've been fighting in favor of free speech for 2 years now? Well, that's some great evidence you anonymous moronic piece of shit.
I'm glad that you're happy I'm still around. I'm 23 (keep in mind the average age of a UWM student is something like 25). I'm very successful at what I'm engaged in currently, academically, politically, and professionally. I actually just returned from speaking at a national conference in Washington DC. What have you done with your life thus far?
Raja M.I. Khan on Oct 14, 2008 at 07:08 PM:
I love how that the only people who put their real names on their comments are the ones that have something productive to say and the ones that don't remain anonymous. Is that because they are embrassed or just plain old stupid? Maybe both.
Kyle, keep up the good work!!
P.S. The issue of stifling free speech of students by the UWM Administration is a VERY IMPORTANT issue for me, as a student of UWM!! Isn't college supposed to give you a voice? Not at UWM...unless you're a bleeding heart liberal of course
Peter Howard on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:47 PM:
How in the world is this the fault of liberals?
Clearly this is the University administration going a little too far, and Raja how in the world is UWM attempting to stop free speech? Are signs now speech?
When are the College Republicans like you ever stopped from tabling?
Despite UWM being a public University it is still an organization that has its own rules and also makes mistakes.
I'll bet you if the College Democrats put a giant Obama-Biden sign on campus it would be taken down.
John F. Kennedy on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:52 PM:
"If by a 'Liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people — their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, and their civil liberties — someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a 'Liberal,' then I'm proud to say I'm a 'Liberal.'
Kyle Hutchinson on Oct 15, 2008 at 12:54 AM:
I want someone to show me one example of UWM administration being bias toward "bleeding-hearts" at the expensive of "conservatives" on campus.
roscoe vincent on Oct 15, 2008 at 12:17 PM:
@jfk, if you were so proud of being a bleeding heart liberal, you would use your real name and not hide behind a dead pres.
roscoe vincent on Oct 15, 2008 at 12:18 PM:
@jfk, if you were so proud of being a bleeding heart liberal, you would use your real name and not hide behind a dead pres.
Raja M.I. Khan on Oct 15, 2008 at 03:48 PM:
Peter/ JFK:
Actually, I'm not a member of the College Republicans. I'm a former officer in the College Democrats if you really want to know (Diversity Affairs). I'm actually a moderate that is still trying to figure out what side of the spectrum I am on. The reason for this is because I have some "democratic" beliefs and some "conservative" beliefs or views. I enjoy working in politics very much because there is no better way to make your voice heard than by actually getting out there and sharing your opinions and beliefs with other people. That is the fundamental right of all Americans, the right to say what you believe. Isn't that the right of you guys as well?? I just wish that JFK would give his real name we I can address the person behind the dead President's name...that's what dialogue is all about, not hiding behind a famous political figure! Anyways, the Obama sign was not forcefully removed but the McCain sign was by UWM officials during tabling. That is obviously a case of bias by UWM. The removal of the Walid Shoebat banner by UWM administration because the MSA had a fit, was violation of the rights of the Conservative Union and breach of contract. Yet, UWM officials did not remove the MSA banner showing a malnourished child lying on the ground in Africa even though it was "disturbing" to the students. Lack of punishment to the members of the MSA for removing flyers for the David Horowitz event (sponsored by the Conservative Union) is another example of the bias of UWM Administration. The CU paid for those flyers and therefore violated the Free Speech of a Conservative student organization on campus!! Allowing the MSA to hand out anti-Jewish cartoon on the day of the David Horowitz event is another example. No fines or punishment was handed down to the MSA, once again! I noticed how the MSA is in the same boat as "liberal" groups on campus, like Jews for Justice, SDS, PMS, and others. Get your facts straight!!
Raja M.I. Khan on Oct 15, 2008 at 03:52 PM:
"If by a 'Liberal' they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind..."
I do believe that Liberals in Washington, constantly look behind at for example, the War in Iraq and try to put the blame on the Republicans. I don't think you guys can honestly and truthfully move on, especially since everyone I have had a debate over ANY topic (terrorism, nuclear weapons, N. Korea, etc) seems to always fall back on the War in Iraq. Why don't you guys actually MOVE ON and look to the future for a change?!?
Raja M.I. Khan on Oct 15, 2008 at 03:54 PM:
Peter:
By Liberal, I did not mean to offend Democrats. I meant the extreme types, for example:
Students for a Democratic Society, Progressive Students of Milwaukee, and Jews for Justice, amoung others...
Sorry for the incorrect use of the term, "Liberal!"
David Allen Acker on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:34 PM:
Pete Howard:
Signs are included under the free speech protections of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution via numerous U.S. Supreme Court Rulings.
So yes, signs are forms of speech.
Raja M.I. Khan on Oct 15, 2008 at 07:00 PM:
David:
Thank you for responding to that point! I forgot to respond to that earlier...
Raja
Any "Name" Fine on Oct 16, 2008 at 06:32 AM:
Who cares what a poster's "real name" is? That's totally irrelevant to the substance of the comments. I've seen many comments with supposed "real names" that are nothing but utter crap, and I've seen many comments with anonymous names that are insightful and substantive.
So, get off your stupid soap box. It's not the "Name" that's important - it's the Comment, dhimwit.
Raja M.I. Khan on Oct 16, 2008 at 03:58 PM:
Haha lol Sorry to offend you!