Students should not be expelled for protesting

TO THE EDITOR:

I am writing in response to a letter to the editor from Sam L. Howe (""Tancredo should be invited back"" students expelled""" April 20) who advocated inviting former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo R-Colo.  back to UNC and expelling the students who protested against Mr. Tancredo's original speech. I agree with Mr. Howe that Rep. Tancredo should be invited back and allowed to speak. The student group who invited him has the right to conduct its business as a University-recognized organization and attempting to keep Rep. Tancredo from speaking at all was inappropriate.

I do however" take issue with Mr. Howe's statement that the students responsible ""should be expelled from UNC after a fair hearing."" While I admire Mr. Howe for his belief in justice" any hearing that begins with a decision already reached — in this case expulsion of the students — is inherently not fair. The Fifth and 14th Amendments guarantee UNC students the right to due process whenever a liberty or property interest is at stake see the Fifth Amendment.

Forcing students to assume the burden of proof or not allowing them to present evidence (formally or informally) that could demonstrate lack of guilt would merely serve to violate another important aspect of the Bill of Rights.



Johnna Herron

Junior

English comparative literature