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NMSU Plans To Establish A "Free Speech Task Force"

Former NMSU Chancellor Dr. Garrey Carruthers

  In a memo issued today by NMSU President Dr. Garrey Carruthers, NMSU announced the formation of a "free speech task force."

Here is the full text of the memo:

This Memorandum is issued to announce the formation of an ad hoc task force that will examine current university policy relating to freedom of speech on campus.  A major impetus for the formation of this task force was a desire to resolve claims by certain students who contend their freedom of expression rights were violated.  Rather than use adversarial legal processes, the parties decided that use of the task force is a more effective and expedient way to try to resolve their claims, sparing both sides the expense and distraction of litigation.  The composition of the task force will be set forth in a separate agreement between the parties; the task force members will elect a chair. 

While NMSU denies any improper or illegal curtailment of such rights and admits no wrongdoing, it does recognize a need for updated policy and issuance of procedural guidelines to facilitate the implementation of a revised policy, including but not limited to consideration of rules for situations that arise indoors. 

NMSU administrators and certain faculty members had independently suggested formation of such a task force and will welcome this opportunity to participate on or with this task force that will be constituted from nominees from students and from NMSU faculty and administration as reflected in a separate agreement between the parties. 

The goal of the task force will be to develop a recommendation for an updated Freedom of Expression policy, with accompanying procedural guidelines, to be presented to the Board of Regents for approval.