The Vista September 17, 1992

Page 1

Campaign '92 Issue: Health Care

University of Central Oklahoma

ORLD'

Clinton leads in Post poll WASHINGTON (AP) —DemocratBillClinton has a 15-point lead over President Bush, according to the latest ABC News-Washington Post PollAmong 611 likely voters asked Sept. 9-13 who would get their vote if the election was held the day they were telephoned, 54 percent said Clinton and 39 percent said Bush.

Defense claims contradicted NEW YORK (AP) — A U.S. Navy jet downed in the early days of the Gulf War was shot down by an Iraqi aircraft and not, as the Pentagon maintained, by a groundto-air missile, a U.S. Navy intelligence officer says. The report, which appears today on the op-ed page of The New York Times, contradicts Department of Defense claims that no U.S. planes were lost in aerial combat during the 43day war.

The Student Voice Since 1903

THURSDAY September 17, 1992

Free speech defined on college campuses By Tami Watson Staff Writer

A June Supreme Court ruling that overturned a "hate crimes" law in St. Paul, Minn. has left many universities rethinking their "hate speech" codes and wondering if the government walks a fine line in preserving free speech. In the St. Paul case, the court ruled that the government went too far in an ordinance banning displays of racial bias. The Court clearly stated that speech could not be restricted because of its content, but Justice Antonio Scalia wrote that "words can in some circumstances violate laws directed not against speech but against conduct." This leaves universities with two choices: abolish existing hate speech codes or write more general ones. The University of Central

Oklahoma has no specific policy on hate speech, said Joyce Mounce, vice-president of administration. And as far as the issue of political correctness, "we have not adopted those," she said. The Student Conduct and Appeals Code, outlined in the UCO Student Handbook states that actions involving "hazing, mistreatment of others, particularly as it applies to student organizations or groups, who endanger, injure, mistreat, harass, degrade or disgrace other students or persons and in any way interfere with educational activities" are prohibited. The decision has raised a serious question: Should speech be restricted because of its content? The issue is far from settled. Higher-education officials say the recent decision merely frames new terms for debate.

Theater denied Edmond voters Tuesday rejected a proposal to build a performing arts theater on the University of Central Oklahoma campus. The proposal, one of 11 on the ballot, would have called for a one cent sales tax to build the theater. In addition, voters defeated other projects in the $15.6 million plan to improve "the quality of life" in Edmond.

Various campus religious organizations pray around the flag poles in Centennial Square Wednesday morning for their prayer meeting, "See You At The Pole." Top photo: B.S.U. member David Andrews offers praise. (Photos by Mike Simons)


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