The University of Missouri School of Law attempted to institute a new social media policy, but vocal opposition and criticism from the media forced a quick repeal.
Calling the policy “Orwellian,” “the worst social media policy I have ever seen,” and “disgustingly anti-intellectual and anti-expression,” Above the Law gave a withering critique of the policies.
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The policy, written by the Student Bar Association, purported to apply to any student within the law school.
The SBA removed the guidelines within 24 hours of the Above the Law criticism. A statement sent to The Huffington Post claimed that “the rules were intended to cover interactions in a closed Facebook group for law students, to prepare members for behaving the professional world.”
Reason noted, before its repeal, that the rules were “farcically censorious.”
The Huffington Post provided the original guidelines, now removed from its original posting at the law school.
The policy started off, declaring “Carefully. Thoughtfully. Professionally. With Tiger spirit” as the guiding principles.
It then sets rules that limit any online interaction:
users.
If leaving a comment, post something meaningful, encouraging, informative or respectful.
Comments should always follow the established posting policy.
Before posting, re-read your comment to make sure it can’t be misconstrued as negative or
inappropriate. If you have any doubt, ask someone else to read it before you post it.
…
Be transparent. If you’re discussing an MU-related topic, use your real name and title. Keep in
mind that what you say represents your university, your school, your classmates, and should
be absolutely accurate.
Respect peoples privacy. Avoid speaking about, or mentioning, others in your posts whenever
you can. Seek that person’s informed consent when needed.
…
Do not comment despairingly on others.
In effect, the policy would prohibit being mean — or anything that could be perceived as mean. It also mentioned that students had a “duty” to “report instances of possible non-compliance.”
Speech codes on campuses aren’t rare. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education counts more than 400 universities with speech codes in place. The University of Missouri received a red rating from FIRE, the lowest it could get, along with more than 200 other universities.
