N.C. State University speech debated

Students and administrators at N.C. State University are working to respond to offensive comments left on the walls of its landmark Free Expression Tunnel.

The comments — described in a statement from NCSU Chancellor Randy Woodson as racially charged obscenities and derogatory comments directed toward the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities — were first brought to the attention of officials Halloween evening.

They were painted over in black as soon as administrators were informed.

“We’re always trying to promote a positive environment on campus,” said Keith Nichols, spokesman for NCSU.

Kelly Hook, NCSU student body president, said she is working alongside the university’s administrators to find ways to promote more positive expression in the tunnel.

Hook said the student government and administrators have been talking with members of the different communities impacted by the racially and sexually charged comments.

The state’s hate crime laws penalize “ethnic intimidation” as a misdemeanor offense.

But Hook said she was told the recent comments in the tunnel don’t count as hate speech because there is no violent connotation.

According to the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, hate speech is protected as long as it doesn’t incite violence.

“As offensive as it is, the remarks left at the tunnel are protected under First Amendment laws,” Nichols said.

“It’s called the free expression tunnel for a reason.”

Hook said she hopes university administrators will allow it to remain an important traditional landmark on campus and won’t consider shutting down the tunnel.

“I’m really worried that that option is a possibility,” Hook said.

She said a possible system might be created within student government to handle future hate comments painted in the tunnel.

Student government members can paint over hateful comments that are brought to their attention, she said.

This isn’t the first time such remarks have been found in the tunnel, she said.

Following President Barack Obama’s election in November 2008, four students painted hateful and violent remarks in regards to the election.

The NCSU student government passed the Free Expression Tunnel Response Act to condemn the students.

Hook said while they can’t ensure people won’t write hateful things in the tunnel, it is their responsibility as students to police comments that are harmful to others in their community.

University officials said while the hateful comments are offensive, they also have to respect the tunnel as a channel of free speech while still promoting a welcoming environment on campus.

Joni Worthington, spokeswoman for the UNC General Administration, said Woodson and NCSU’s team of leaders are working to make the campus embracing for students of different backgrounds.

“All students should work to create a campus environment that is welcome to education and is non-threatening,” Worthington said.

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.