JACKSON, Miss. — Students at Mississippi universities may have to watch what they say more than those in other states because of policies that free-speech advocates say are oppressive.
At Ole Miss, someone could theoretically get in trouble for sending an e-mail about how much they “hate” rival Mississippi State.
Jackson State students could be punished for unsolicited flirting.
Speaking freely outside so-called “free-speech zones” on most of the campuses could get students in trouble, even though a federal court has deemed that unconstitutional.
Adam Kissel, of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, said the nonprofit group hears from hundreds of college students across the country each year who believe their rights have been violated.
Many of the complaints deal with students who have been prevented from expressing their views on controversial issues such as abortion, gay marriage or affirmative action.
“Students want to be able to advocate their position on the issues,” Kissel said. “Unfortunately, the administrators sometimes use their power to shut down one side of the case.”
