Loose Ends

By Shawn Healy

Turns out that Illinois' Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act isn't mandatory after all, seeing that the legislation lacked punitive mechanisms for school districts who failed to implement its mandates. US District Judge Robert Gettleman made this determination in a case concerning Buffalo Grove High School, stifling further practice at this school even though it proceeds elsewhere. The Judge has yet to rule on the constitutionality of the mandate, but the defendants promise a class-action suit to force the issue.

Two legislators are already pushing for an amendment to remove the mandate altogether. Since a similar statute has already been on the books since 2002 allowing districts to hold a moment of silence at their own discretion, we're apparently back to square one. Stay tuned.

Out in the Rockies, Colorado State's Board of Student Communications, composed of both students and faculty, acted to cement their status as publisher of the student newspaper, the Collegian. Given the Board's relationship with the university, free press concerns of potential censorship emerge.

Remember, this is the paper where Editor Michael McSwane invoked a four letter word critical of President Bush and the unrelated tasering incident at the University of Florida. The Collegian is independently funded, but does rent office space from the university, and is subject to supervision from the BSC, partially composed of professors employed by a public university, thus implicating the First Amendment.

McSwane, as expected, sides decisively on the side of press freedom. "Punishment for speech is punishment for speech. How is that not censorship?"

The BSC is set to meet on November 27th for final consideration of the proposed policy, and if adopted, hold tight, for more litigation may be in the works.