FIRE's video: Ferris State s dignity policy should take the day off

Like FIRE on Facebook: http://facebook.com/TheFIREorg​ Follow FIRE on Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheFIREorg Donate to FIRE: http://thefire.org/donate By now, you’ve probably heard about the professor at Ferris State University who was suspended after an introductory video to his students went viral — it was pretty memorable. But, you might not have heard about the policy that was used to punish him: FIRE’s Speech Code of the Month for February. Ferris State’s Employee and Student Dignity policy says: “The University expects all students and employees to conduct themselves with dignity and respect,” and that it’s each individual's responsibility to “behave in a civil manner” and “make responsible choices.” Encouraging students and faculty to make good choices is one thing, but vague mandates of civility and respect can all too easily be applied to restrict protected speech that is disfavored by the administration. Case in point: When this professor’s video went viral, and its tongue-in-cheek nature was viewed out of context, Ferris State wielded its unconstitutional policy to infringe on his rights. The professor has sued the school, and the message to other colleges with restrictive speech codes is clear: Fix your policies before a controversy like this hits.