UNL leaders vehemently defend UNL football players right to freedom of speech

[Eric the Red]

This topic has meaning beyond the football field and is hitting national television. I wanted a separate headline for these emails sent by both Chancellor Green and President Bounds to alumni this morning.

 

I would like the nation to know UNL is a great University and supports those in college that want to exercise their First Amendment right.

 

September 28, 2016

 

To the University of Nebraska Community:

Over the past few days, our university has been at the center of a statewide conversation about free speech and the rights of student-athletes to peacefully protest. Many Nebraskans, including some of you, have expressed their opinions about the decision by three NU football players to kneel during the national anthem before Saturday's game. Some have been supportive. Others have disagreed, in some cases passionately so.

That all are free to share their view is the privilege of living in the greatest country in the world.

 

I have served in the military. I understand love of country and love of the flag and I know that freedom is not free. I recognize that some are upset by what they saw on Saturday night. But let me be clear. The University of Nebraska will not restrict the First Amendment rights of any student or employee. Our position on this issue is abundantly clear. As stated in Board of Regents policy, which has been in place for almost a half-century: “Members of the academic community have the right to extensive latitude in making their opinions known… The public exploration and resolution of differing views can be successful only when groups and individuals discuss the issues in forums where the right to disagree, speak freely and be heard is preserved.”

 

The same freedoms that protect the speech of those who have joined the conversation in recent days also protect our students' speech – whether they're kneeling during the national anthem, holding the American flag on the field, praying after a game or expressing their opinion during class or on campus. All of that speech falls under the same category. All of it is protected.

 

Our nation is dealing with difficult issues today, as we have for virtually our entire history. Each of us will react differently. College campuses, as much as any space, must be places where robust, even uncomfortable, debate is welcomed and encouraged. I want every student, faculty and staff member to know that I am unwavering in my support of your right to participate in these dialogues in the manner you choose under the First Amendment and University of Nebraska policy.

 

Thank you for all that you do for the University of Nebraska. I am honored and humbled to serve with you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hank Bounds
President, University of Nebraska
http://nebraska.edu/president
@hankbounds

 

 

Students, faculty and staff-

As you know, the University of Nebraska has been in the spotlight over the last few days in regard to freedom of speech. This has been in response to a peaceful demonstration by three of our student athletes during the national anthem at the football game last Saturday.

 

NU President Bounds sent you an email earlier today expressing his unwavering support, and the University of Nebraska system’s principled support, of freedom of speech. We are proud and indeed fortunate to be engaged in the noble calling of higher education in the United States, and part of an organization that considers this freedom to be an indelible right.

 

I would add that the demonstration by our student-athletes represents the fact that we are an inclusive university; one that welcomes diverse views. The diversity in our thoughts and opinions is what leads to productive discourse. What isn’t productive, however, are threats or threatening behavior. I am saddened that the peaceful -- and by their intent respectful and prayer-centered -- actions of our students resulted in threats from a few individuals in public forums. I would encourage all to reflect on our beliefs on diversity and inclusion: “True excellence requires that each individual be able to work and learn in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and acceptance. Our commitment requires each of us to continuously ensure our interactions be respectful, protect free speech and inspire academic freedom.”

 

While I fully recognize and appreciate that there are many who have strongly held views that this demonstration could have been achieved in a manner that did not conflate with the observance and allegiance to our national anthem, the fact remains that their personal choice to speak in this way is a protected right that we all are afforded by the Constitution. As pointed out so well by President Bounds, this same right allows our student athletes to kneel in prayer at midfield before or after competition – a tradition that is highly valued by many people as well.

Our student-athletes have provided us an opportunity to examine our own behaviors, engage in productive dialogue and consider alternate views about important issues of our time. This is essential at a place of higher learning.

 

There is indeed no place like Nebraska and I so appreciate your work and commitment to our mission.

 

Go Big Red.

Ronnie D. Green, Chancellor

[NUance]

It's great to see these coming from the President and Chancellor of our University. It helps to counterbalance the views of that regent. You know, the one that rhymes with knob.

[Elf]

Stuff like this should be in the religion and politics forum. I go to www.flamewarriors.net for political/religious discussion, I come here to talk about football.

 

This is the third thread on this subject we've had in the football forum also.

[Moiraine]

Stuff like this should be in the religion and politics forum. I go to www.flamewarriors.net for political/religious discussion, I come here to talk about football.

 

This is the third thread on this subject we've had in the football forum also.

 

I don't agree, and one of them was moved. You have the choice to not be part of the conversation for this topic. And I imagine if it devolves enough it will be moved in due time.

[zoogs]

Two of them were moved.

 

Coverage of the Husker program from USA Today:

 

 

Retweeted by Shawn Eichorst. You can see everyone starting to pull in the same direction (mostly) on this. It's great. Are we really the first college football program where this has happened? Tremendous example that's been set by (most of) the leadership here. On balance, it should be good optics for the school and the program. Another reason to be proud of Nebraska.

[Flood]

This topic is about football, though. It also happens to be political.

 

I am glad the school has made such a strong commitment to these kids and their right to speak. At this point it seems people are so focused on the method of demonstration that the message the kids hoped to send is in danger of being lost in the smoke.

 

I noted in another thread that I am a veteran. My beliefs are strongly aligned with these kids and their right to speak about anything they wish. Whether my particular war helped preserve anyone's rights is doubtful (at least to me), I feel okay with my contribution possibly allowing these students to hold their protest. It's what our country was founded on, this right to dissent. Of course you do not have to agree. But if we can agree to disagree while discussing matters without resorting to threats of violence, we are enhanced as a country and society.

 

All this is my opinion of course. Yours may be completely different and that is fine too. It is what makes America the place it is.

 

I am very glad the school is supportive. And I hope they continue to stand their ground. Nebraska in the modern day is very much changed from the 70s when I grew up out in Western Nebraska. And I believe the changes are mostly in a good direction.

[Elf]

This topic is about football, though. It also happens to be political.

This is a political topic that happens to include football players. It has nothing to do with the game of football.

[NUance]

Stuff like this should be in the religion and politics forum. I go to www.flamewarriors.net for political/religious discussion, I come here to talk about football.

 

This is the third thread on this subject we've had in the football forum also.

 

Ha ha! That's what I thought when I moved two of them to the P&R forum yesterday. But people complained about that too.

 

Should they all be moved? Maybe. Maybe not. It makes me, as a mod, feel sorta like an old Bum Phillips quote I heard one time. When asked whether he was running Earl Campbell too much, Bum Phillips said, "I must be runnin' him about the right amount—half the people tell me I'm runnin' him too much and the other half think I'm not runnin' him enough."

[Elf]

 

Stuff like this should be in the religion and politics forum. I go to www.flamewarriors.net for political/religious discussion, I come here to talk about football.

 

This is the third thread on this subject we've had in the football forum also.

Ha ha! That's what I thought when I moved two of them to the P&R forum yesterday. But people complained about that too.

 

Should they all be moved? Maybe. Maybe not. It makes me, as a mod, feel sorta like an old Bum Phillips quote I heard one time. When asked whether he was running Earl Campbell too much, Bum Phillips said, "I must be runnin' him about the right amount—[/size]half the people tell me I'm runnin' him too much and the other half think I'm not runnin' him enough."

 

This is a political topic and as such it should be in the P&R forum. But hey, it's not my board and I don't make the rules.

[ColoNoCoHusker]

As ashamed as I was with Hal & Gov's comments, I could not be more impressed with the UNL Leadership (Bounds, Green, Eichorst, Riley, players) on this issue. I could not be more proud of the example being set and they way it has been handled start to finish.

 

The Athletic Department & University are truly building Leaders for the future!

[Moiraine]

 

This topic is about football, though. It also happens to be political.

This is a political topic that happens to include football players. It has nothing to do with the game of football.

 

 

I'm sorry but if this isn't about the game of football then neither is the passing of someone who coached here nor is the Team Jack stuff.

[dvdcrr]

You ever notice how the words "vehemently" and "strawberry poke cake" are never used in the same sentence? Delicious!

[GBRHouston]

They did the right thing in the sense of making the public happy.

[Red Five]

They did the right thing in the sense of making the public happy.

 

So what was the real "right thing" to do?

[Thanks_Tom RR]

They did the right thing

FIFY