Two Greek life organizations at Long Island University have been suspended for sharing an image of a “South Park” episode in a group chat.
The university condemned the “racially insensitive image” in an email sent to the entire LIU student body.
“This conduct is contrary to the values of Long Island University. LIU prides itself on the diversity of its student body, and we strive for an inclusive environment for all,” Dean of Students Michael Berthel wrote in the campus-wide email.
Apparently, private messages are now under the scope of university behavior and “South Park” images are grounds for suspension of Greek organizations.
The email calls the group chat a “violation of the University’s code of conduct” and states that “actions contrary to the University’s values will result in appropriate and swift consequences.”
LIU’s Student Handbook has a Cyber Community Policy and a Policy Regarding Use of Profanity in Social Media, but nothing that specifically refers to group chats.
“LIU does not permit the use of profanity, offensive slang or language of a libelous, slanderous or defamatory nature in activities, programs, publications or media sponsored by student organizations funded through student activity fees,” reads the Policy Regarding Use of Profanity in Social Media.
Pending a “thorough investigation,” LIU’s Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority cannot operate on campus.
According to one member of the LIU community, students belonging to the two Greek life organizations are being harassed and cannot walk through campus without other students yelling “racist!”
While there is no doubt the “South Park” image is offensive (it’s an animated picture of a “Wheel of Fortune” screen with the N-word minus the letter i), this university overreach should be seen as a chilling suppression of free speech and student privacy.
Could a student be in violation of campus policy for texting a YouTube link to the song “Baby It’s Cold Outside” just because that student is affiliated with a campus organization?
What about a fraternity making dinner plans for Taco Tuesday in a group text?
Or suppose a sorority created a Facebook event with plans to watch “The Little Mermaid“?
Under this logic, yes, each scenario would be a violation. Furthermore, the swift and public condemnation of a private group chat paints students as guilty before the university is able to conduct an investigation (into what should likely be left alone as a private matter).
When university systems become the arbiters of what can and can’t be said in private based on a student’s association with campus groups, it only suppresses speech and discourages campus involvement. This is a slippery slope and Long Island University has done a major disservice to its students by airing dirty laundry out in the open, instead of using it as a teachable moment or leaving it alone altogether.
