University of Illinois Tells Employees Not to Express Political Leanings on Campus

InsideHigherEd.com recently posted a story about the University of Illinois sending out an official memo from the ethics office to its faculty, staff and all employees telling them not to attend on-campus political rallies, refrain from having political bumper stickers on their cars, or even wear a button showing support for a particular political campaign. This memo has caused controversy within the school resulting in some employees saying the school is imposing on their freedom of speech.

A spokesman from the school said that the university president, Joseph White, was aware that faculty members were concerned about the memo, but went on to say that the policy is still in affect. Although the memo is not currently being enforced, a number of faculty, including a Urbana-Champaign campus professor who is also the president of the American Association of University Professors, have begun circulating a draft that shows their deep concern for the school's apparent disregard of the employees' right to free speech. Once part of the draft states,"Although these rules are not at present being enforced, the AAUP deplores their chilling effect on speech, their interference with the educational process, and their implicit castigation of normal practice during political campaigns.”

During political campaigns, most colleges and universities are aware that they aren't supposed to show any political leanings towards candidates, given their non-profit status and use of public funds, but some believe the University of Illinois has overstepped the normal actions during a campaign season.

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