Campus Reform: Northern Arizona University

Editor's Note: This blog was written by current NAU student, Beth Baumann, and was originally posted here. 

NAU Student Life Against 9/11 Commemoration

By Beth Baumann

The following event took place yesterday – Friday, September 9, 2011:

In order to commemorate 9/11, two individuals and myself handed out American flags (with pins that read “9/11 Never Forget” attached to the flags). We started out our small event outside on the pedway (just outside Starbucks). It started raining and thunder storming so we decided to move inside the union. We took the small table we had and set up against a wall. All of the booths in the union were taken, with the exception of the booth near Denny’s and the Info Desk (that sees little to no foot traffic).

The three of us handed out flags and saw an amazing response from students. They were more than happy to take the flags in remembrance of 9/11. At one point, a girl who works at the info desk came and asked us if we had scheduled a booth with Student Life. One of the other individuals explained that NAU is a public university and is paid for by taxpayers, therefore we’re allowed to hand out flags, etc. The girl went to get her boss.

Another lady came out and told us we had three options – to go outside, to leave or to be scheduled another day. We explained to her that 9/11 is on Sunday and therefore we couldn’t schedule another date and time. We wanted to reach ALL students while they were on campus. We also explained to her that this is our First Amendment right. When asked if she knew what the First Amendment stated, she said “You’re allowed to express free speech at a particular time, place and manner.” WRONG!

We had another lady who came out to tell us our same options, only before she did this; she took a flag and a bumper sticker! When she realized we weren’t going to leave, she had ANOTHER person to come and try to kick us out.

Here’s my problem with the whole thing – I don’t mind scheduling a booth with Student Life. I find it ludicrous that STUDENTS (who PAY the university) are put on the back burner to NON-students who pay to use a booth. The same two guys are always at the SAME booth EVERY day! Why can’t they be put in a booth down the hall? Why do THEY get first priority? Is it because they PAY to use the booth? Is it because they book out the SAME booth EVERY SINGLE DAY for the school year? Not ONCE have I EVER seen anyone else in that booth. Not once.

Now the three of us have a hearing against us. Student Life is claiming that we broke the Student Code of Conduct. Here is part of the letter we received:

“Failure to comply with the directions of university officials or agents, including law enforcement or security offices, acting in good faith of their duties.

Interfering with University Activities, interfering with or disrupting university or university-sponsored activities, including but not limited to classroom related activities, studying, teaching, research, intellectual or creative endeavor, administration, service or provision of communication, computing, or emergency services.”

Also, because the three of us are in NAU Conservatives, they threatened to disband our group and prevent us from holding events on campus.

A large group of students saw some of the altercations. They expressed to us their concern, saying things like “I can’t believe they want you guys to leave. We need things like this! It’s for 9/11!” The support we saw was overwhelming.

We have the entirety of the conversations on video. Once they’re uploaded on CampusReform.org, we will have them posted on Facebook.

The main administrators harassing us were Deb Harris, Kristine Koehler, and Amanda Loveless, as you will see in the video. The staff member in charge of the misconduct proceedings next week is Art Farmer, also listed.

If you find what happened outrageous, feel free to contact NAU Student Life at (928) 523-5181.

Let NAU Student Life know that you support and stand with the NAU Conservatives!