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Stifled voices: censorship at Boise State
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While The Arbiter staffers investigate what we’ve deemed an act of censorship, we also thought it might be a good time to look back on some of the more memorable reactions to potential free speech on campus. For these incidents (most of a sexual nature) The Arbiter was there. We ask: Where does the line between rightful and offensive get drawn? Who draws that line?
August 2005:
During an orientation fair, a small number of students were accidentally distributed chocolate vaginas along with other orientation materials. The gaffe caused an uproar and gained national attention through a news story Boise’s Channel 2 produced on the subject, and then gained momentum when Rush Limbaugh picked up the story. Although some were outraged by the presence of the anatomically-correct candy, others were enlivened by the dismissal of them.
“They vote, smoke and can potentially be drafted, but can’t talk about vaginas?” Amy Salisbury, then-president for Idaho’s Progressive Student Alliance, said in regard to students.
During the same month, a flier and a brochure promoting sexually-indicitive films and lectures, respectively, were modified to be “less offensive.” The two advertisements were covered using stickers.
“It’s our responsibility to make sure we serve all constituents in a well-balanced approach,” Mark Wheeler, then-vice president of Student Affairs said. “We want to do so in a way that’s sensitive to the beliefs of all students.”
March 2007:
The Boise State College Republicans were threatened with action by President Bob Kustra when they posted what some deemed an offensive flier across campus promoting a lecture. Then-Assistant Director of Student Activities, Michael Esposito, may have been terminated for letting the advertisement slip through. “They’re trying to silence our political opinions with threats and intimidation,” Jonathan Sawmiller, then-president of the student group, said. “President Kustra’s remarks and actions are extremely offensive and disrespectful towards those who oppose illegal immigration.”
One way or another, the fliers stuck around and hundreds of students, faculty and community members showed up to protest the event the fliers advertised.
December 2007:
By request of Boise State human resources, a Christmas tree decorated with multi-colored condoms was forcibly moved from an office in the plumbing shop to the Health and Wellness Center. Officials said it violated university policy because it made employees feel uncomfortable.
“We took action as soon as we became aware of it,” Jane Kinn Buser, director of Human Resources, said. The plumbers in the maintenance shop said the tree stood for a year and half before anything was heard about it.
“We weren’t putting it up as saying, ‘Have sex over Christmas,’” Joe Waters, an employee in the office, said. “It’s just something colorful we hung on the tree. I just put a lot of lights around it thinking ‘Hey, this is great!’”
February 2008:
The Arbiter published a story titled “How safe is YOUR dorm?” Soon after distribution, reports started coming into the office that the issue containing the story had been removed from various newsstands in particular dormitories. Corroboration could not be obtained, as resident advisors could not be reached for comment because of “contractual obligations.” The mystery was never solved, but the story obviously made an impact with someone.
August 2008:
Paid-for advertisements for The O!Zone, Boise’s only condom shop, were removed from approximately 15,000 coupon books by hand. The book was to be distributed to customers of the Boise State Bookstore.
Dale W. Eisinger
