The Chronicle of Higher Education
News Blog
In the Comments

"Some college administrators seem so distracted with fund raising, academic infighting, and community initiatives that they set up their emergency communications departments very poorly. Training is poor to nonexistent, secretaries are pressed into service with tremendous responsibilities for running 'notification systems' 24/7 and on weekends because no one else knows how to do it and the administration won’t pay for additional staff. Procedures are seat-of-the-pants and dependent on HIPPO (highest paid person’s opinion), except when something like Virginia Tech happens and there is some sort of scramble to do something different." --Donna

Most Colleges Avoid Risk Management, Report Says

Recent Posts

Jill Biden Shines a Global Spotlight on American Community Colleges

Connecticut Public Colleges Lose 200 Professors to Early Retirement

U. of Georgia Paid 2 Fraternities $2.4-Million to Relocate, Contracts Show

New Allegations in Admissions Controversy at U. of Illinois Suggest Ex-Provost Played a Role

Sonoma State U. Foundation May Lose $350,000 on Loan to Former Board Member


Most Commented This Month

College Suspends Student for Working in Gay Pornography | 58

President Obama's Visit to Notre Dame Carries Barely a Hint of Controversy That Preceded It | 58

Drug Sting Nabs 21 Students at U. of Illinois | 57

Faculty Members and Union Protest Staff Layoffs at Temple U. as 'Cruel' | 57

North Dakota Board's Vote Puts 'Fighting Sioux' Mascot on Thinner Ice | 57

By Category

Athletics
Community Colleges
Government & Politics
Information Technology
International
Money & Management
Northern Illinois
Research & Books
Short Subjects
Students
The Faculty

Blog Archives

Search

Keep Up to Date

Daily news blog: RSS  / Atom

Daily news reported by The Chronicle: RSS

Contact us

June 4, 2007

Appeals Court Upholds Spending Limits on Student-Government Elections

Spending limits on student-government campaigns are not a violation of free-speech rights, according to a unanimous ruling issued on Friday by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

In the case, a student at the University of Montana challenged the $100 cap on spending that the institution imposed on student elections after he was denied office for exceeding that limit. The student, Aaron Flint, sued the university on the grounds that the limit was an unconstitutional violation of free speech, as courts have ruled in cases involving spending caps in local, state, and federal elections.

Mr. Flint’s lawyer, James Bopp Jr., said that the same standard should apply for elections at public universities as in races for public office in those broader jurisdictions.

The appeals court disagreed, ruling that the university is different from other state entities because of its educational mission.

“Imposing limits on candidate spending requires student candidates to focus on desirable qualities such as the art of persuasion, public speaking, and answering questions face-to-face with one’s potential constituents,” the decision said. “Students are forced to campaign personally, wearing out their shoe leather rather than wearing out a parent’s — or an activist organization’s — pocketbook.”

Mr. Bopp said he would appeal the ruling. —Elizabeth F. Farrell

Posted on Monday June 4, 2007 | Permalink |