Rachel McClurg
Editor-in-Chief
On Thursday, March 21, President Donald Trump signed an executive order regarding free speech on college campuses. This executive order potentially threatens college funding if they refuse to comply.
According to Vice President of Student Services Bill Rinkenbaugh, there was a small issue in the past where a group wanted to protest against abortions on campus. The group was not denied its first amendment rights, but they did have to comply with the school’s policy and not disrupt classes.
“Freedom of speech and the First Amendment is a right that should be upheld,” Rinkenbaugh said. “Since Butler values differing opinions, I do not see this as an issue that will impact us. If other colleges and universities do not want to support the First Amendment, there are consequences to those decisions.”
According to The Washington Post, at least 100 students were invited to join Trump during the signing.
“Trump told the students that people can have different views, ‘but they have to let you speak’,” Washington Post journalist Susan Svrluga said.
A motive for the executive order was because of a conservative activist that spoke at the University of California-Berkeley was attacked while running a recruitment table.
“Any group that wants to come to the campus to protest things must file the request with my office,” Rinkenbaugh said. “I will tell you that we have never denied a request to come to the campus for individuals to exercise their First Amendment rights.”
Though most universities agree it is important that students have their First Amendment rights protected, it is not always that easy. Some students resort to violence when protestors make their way to college campuses.
“While individuals may not agree with that point of view, every individual has a right to their opinion and a right to voice that opinion,” Rinkenbaugh said.
Seeing as Butler is a relatively quiet campus when it comes to protesting and violence, it is not foreseen that this executive order will have any direct impact on the college.