08/01/2017
This week, the leadership of SMU College Democrats collaborated with SMU College Republicans, Mustangs For Life, Young Americans for Freedom, Turning Point USA at SMU, and the SMU Feminist Equality Movement to respond to a change in SMU policy that would prohibit organizations from utilizing Dallas Hall Lawn for lawn displays.
The following is a statement from the leadership of SMU College Democrats, intended for administrators of Southern Methodist University in regards to the alteration in policy of the use of Dallas Hall Lawn for demonstrative purposes:
It has come to our attention that the ability for SMU student organizations to utilize Dallas Hall Lawn for large scale demonstrations may be discontinued for the foreseeable future. We have been informed that this decision was reached after an analysis of past demonstrations, including the annual Mustangs for Life display and the Mustangs for Unity display. As socially and politically active students of Southern Methodist University, we are disappointed with the decision to disallow student organizations from utilizing the ideal location to further the interests of student organizations.
We are aware that Southern Methodist University is a private institution, and as such, the grounds of SMU are considered private property. However, the primary purpose of an institution of higher education is to educate students for experiences in the world after graduation. It is our belief that the free exercise of discourse and open demonstration on college campuses is essential to achieving that goal. Student organizations utilize the space in front of Dallas Hall to supplement the educational curriculum of SMU, and to present topics of discussion to the student body. Removing this privilege will only serve to restrict the educational possibilities of SMU students and diminish the quality of the SMU experience. As such, we heavily encourage the administration of Southern Methodist University to reconsider their decision on this matter.
Reversing the decision would imply that the university is open to being a place of discourse and development, as a university ought to be. Doing so would demonstrate to alumni and potential donors that SMU is a place of open discourse. As SMU aspires to became a greater school, the administrators ought to take into consideration the fact that educational opportunities outside of the classroom are an important part of increasing the quality of the school, and that restrictions on free expressions hurt both the quality of education, and the quality of student life as a whole.
We appreciate your time and consideration of this matter.
