David Bernstein reports that the Alabama Scholars Association, which I think must be the analog of our Indiana Association of Scholars, has aroused the ire of the University of Alabama because it sponsored his visit of October 9. Here, from the Volokh Conspiracy, are excerpts from a letter he quotes:
... Along the way, however, he informed us that he was following orders from University attorney, George S. Gordon.
...
On Friday, October 3, ASA delivered two flyers to University Printing. Mr. May announced that Mr. Gordon had "approved" delivery of one of flyers advertising a speech on Thursday by David Bernstein, a professor at George Mason University [discussing, ironically enough, my new book, You Can't Say That! The Growing Threat to Civil Liberties from Antidiscrimination Laws]. The ASA paid the thirty dollar fee and received a recipient made out to the UA Chapter of the ASA. Unfortunately, the flyer was not sent out as promised despite payment in full.
On October 8, Mr. Mike Butts from Campus mail sent an email stating that his office would not deliver the flyer despite the fact that it was co-sponsored by the Law School. He has not responded to repeated emails about the outrageous attempt to quash free speech despite the fact that the ASA paid for the service and received a receipt in its own name from University Printing.
Universities will allow free speech under a little pressure-- but that little bit of pressure seems to be necessary.
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http://php.indiana.edu/~erasmuse/w/03.10.10b.htm ]
About a month ago, Mr. Bill May of University Printing informed ASA officials that his office had made a "mistake" and would no longer deliver the Alabama Observer at the 60 dollar rate. He justified this shift in policy arguing that the ASA was "not part of the university" or a "recognized faculty organization."
UPDATE: The flyer was belatedly delivered this morning, following a discussion during my appearance on the popular "Russ and Dee" morning show, not to mention what I suspect was an Instalanche of complaints to the university president. The delivery was too late to be of use for my talk, but hopefully it signals a turning point in university attitudes.
To return to Eric Rasmusen's weblog, click http://php.indiana.edu/~erasmuse/w/0.rasmusen.htm.