Freedom of speech imperative

Posted 04-20-2008 at 5:10PM


During President Shirley Ann Jackson’s recent town hall meeting, she announced the plan to create a framework for approving artistic presentations and exhibits before they are brought to the Institute. As RPI continues to broaden its focus as a university to include the arts and humanities, it is crucial that the Institute maintains a commitment to supporting free and open discussion of ideas. While such a vetting process could be implemented correctly and constructively, there is a very real possibility that it could be used to enforce an overly conservative set of policies regarding art on campus, which would severely damage the reputation of the Institute and its growing art program.
During the town hall meeting, Jackson emphasized the importance of pushing the technological and creative boundaries of artistic expression through the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center program. Based on the recent decision to shut down the Wafaa Bilal exhibit, it seems that political and social boundaries may be an exception to this commitment to the arts.
The importance of free speech should not be underestimated...(read more)