Free Speech Stifled on College Campuses in Wake of Virginia Tech Massacre?

In the week after the Virginia Tech massacre, which occurred on April 16, 2007, college campuses, universities, high schools, and middle schools were disrupted by threats of violence and intense discussion of classroom security. However, for one professor, college administrators felt that he went too far. In the end, it cost him his job. Emmanuel College, a Catholic college in Massachusetts, fired adjunct professor Nicholas Winset for a discussion and reenactment of the events that occurred during the Virginia Tech massacre. The incident took place on Wednesday, April 18th, 2007, just two days after the Virginia Tech massacre.

In response to the firing, Professor Winset posted a response on You Tube. "During the demonstration, Winset pretended to shoot some students. Then one student pretended to shoot Winset to illustrate his point that the gunman might have been stopped had another student or faculty member been armed." (ABC News) Winset states that the demonstration occurred simply to illustrate both sides of the gun debate that has been sweeping the United States in the wake of the worst school shooting in the history of the country. Unfortunately, Professor Winset believes that his firing will stifle honest debate on college campuses across the US. "Winset, 37, argued that the Catholic liberal arts school was stifling free discussion by firing him, and he said the move would have a 'chilling effect' on open debate." (ABC News) Winset believes that he should have had the freedom to discuss and reenact the event as he saw fit. He stated that college officials urged professors to have an open dialog with their classes with regards to the Virginia Tech tragedy.

While Winset's methods may not have been in good taste, especially so soon after the tragedy; however, under the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution, he has the right to free speech. As a result of him being fired, it sends the message to students that they are not free to express their feelings openly with regards to gun control and the Virginia Tech massacre. Instead, issues surrounding the event are allowed to fester and are left unresolved. As colleges and universities across the nation take a look at their security measures, free and open debate needs to take place. For example, a recent Detroit News article states that three of Michigan's universities - Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, and Eastern Michigan University - are ready for campus emergencies. However, for truly effective emergency planning to take place for an event such as occurred at Virginia Tech, students' ideas and opinions, as well as those of educators, administrators, and staff, need to be taken into account.

Sources -

ABC News article. "Professor Fired Over Va. Tech Discussion." http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3067151

Detroit News article. "Three state universities say they're ready for emergencies."
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007704200309

You Tube video. "Fired Professor Speaks Out 4/4."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSFAZMMTb_w