Dartblog

Using data from The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, we can identify the most conservative American universities of 2006. Not ‘conservative’ as it dichotomizes the American political geography, of course—‘conservative’ in the anti-Enlightenment sense. The sense which selectively endorses free expression, and which emphasizes vague communal interests by suppressing individual rights. These are moldy old ideas that give the yawn to most of us, but readers must understand that they are spring-fresh at college. To wit, FIRE’s Speech Codes of the Year: 2006 Edition.

I quote in full:

1. Jacksonville State University in Alabama. The student code of conduct at Jacksonville State provides that “No student shall threaten, offend, or degrade anyone on University owned or operated property.” Got that? You may not offend anyone on University property.
2. Barnard College in New York City. The Barnard College Posting Policy provides that “the following words cannot appear on any posted information at Barnard—shit, piss, suck, cunt, fuck, motherfucker, cocksucker and tits.” This policy is probably the only speech code in existence to be based on a comedy routine—George Carlin’s famous “seven dirty words.” Even better, however, is the fact that this policy actually violates itself, since it is posted on Barnard’s website and contains the offending words.
3. Drexel University in Philadelphia. Drexel’s harassment policy bans “inconsiderate jokes” and “inappropriately directed laughter.”

UPDATE: More academic silliness here, courtesy of John J. Miller.