Quashing Dissent at DePaul

This is a great story.

DePaul University in Chicago has invited Ward Churchill to its campus to speak on--of all things--human rights. The college's Republicans have tried to mobilize opposition to Churchill's visit, but have been blocked by the college's administration. Amazingly, the Republicans were denied the right to post flyers criticizing Churchill's visit on the ground that the flyers were "propaganda"!

Follow the link to The Mental Ward and read a bit.

In the Policies section of their web site, DePaul has codified rules regarding the posting of flyers on campus. One of the rules addresses "propaganda". The "Flyer Posting Policy" section of their DePaul Student Life Policies and Procedures web page appears below.

19 Oct 2005

Fair enough, right? The rules are vague, to be sure, but that's academia. DePaul has a right to establish their own rules, natch.

But here's the thing -- that page has changed in the past ten days. Here it is on 10 Oct 2005:

10 Oct 2005

I have cropped the images to show bits of the preceding and following sections to show that was is depicted is the entire "Flyer Posting Policy".

Amazing, eh? DePaul University changed their rules so Ward Churchill could give a speech while being protected from the speech of others.

Found at Power Line

The Mental Ward

DePaul Student Life Policies and Procedures: before and after.

UPDATE: May 18, 2005 - DePaul Professor Suspended Without a Hearing After Arguing with Students on Middle East Issues