October 13, 2008

South Dakota Measure Could Limit Student Groups' Activities

The lawyer for South Dakota’s public higher-education system has released a review concluding that a measure on the November ballot could inhibit the activities of student organizations that receive public financing from universities, the Associated Press reported.

Initiative Measure 10, known as the South Dakota Open and Clean Government Act, would prohibit the use of public money or government resources for lobbying, campaigning, or other political purposes. Although the measure does not explicitly mention higher education, opponents say it could be interpreted to cover student organizations and campus employees.

“When you first read this initiative, I don’t think anybody could be against clean and open government,” said Alex Halbach, executive director of the South Dakota Student Federation, an organization of student governments. “But when you read into the text, it’s so much deeper than that and affects so many different areas.”

The measure could serve as a “gag law” against student groups, Mr. Halbach said, noting that student newspapers receiving money from their universities could not endorse local political candidates. David Owen, a spokesman for a group that opposes the measure, said it could be interpreted so that even the state’s Board of Regents could not lobby politicians on issues related to higher education.

Supporters of the initiative called the review by the university lawyer, James Shekleton, “the latest installment of the big-money, big-lie campaign” to block the measure. —Reeves Wiedeman

Comments

1. New York state has this law and it is enforced. It prohibits lobbying or political activities in much the same manner. The simple solution is for student newspapers to not accept government money.

   — And?    Oct 13, 03:44 PM    #

2. Student activity fees are often a required part of tuition at public universities. I do not know how they cannot be defined as “state funds.” It seems unconscionable to allow such funds to be used for partisan political purposes. If student groups want to spend money for partisan political purposes (e.g. lobbying) they should use their own, voluntarily collected
   funds.

   — Carl    Oct 13, 03:59 PM    #

3. Good. I wouldn’t want mandatory student activity fees paid by all students going to benefit partisan activities of some of those students.

   — priorities    Oct 13, 09:50 PM    #

4. A great idea! Chalk one up for South Dakota. Why should public money be spent to lobby other public agencies? Why should public money be spent to endorse candidates for public office?

   — Garyz    Oct 14, 12:51 AM    #

5. A couple of thoughts:

   When I worked in higher education in South Dakota, any monies I collected on behalf of my university— whether fees or voluntary donations — became state funds…students collecting donations for lobbying purposes could be hampered.

   Secondly, isn’t college an opportunity for students to learn about the world — including the political process and lobbying?
   To play devil’s advocate, I support the right of student groups to participate in a political process.

   I guess I would hope that any measure like this would clearly define what is considered public money (fees, tuition) and what is considered private funding (donations).

   — Keley Smith-Keller    Oct 14, 08:43 AM    #

6. Next thing you know, students will be prohibited from doing or learning anything that the ‘taxpayer’ doesn’t think is an appropriate use of their money. They are getting financial aid after all.

   — -Jeff    Oct 14, 10:24 AM    #

7. So students groups like College Republicans or University Democrats would not be able to use schools funds. This is silly. Becoming involved on camppus and learning that takes place outside of the classroom is a part of the acdemic process. Should we also ban the showing of certain movies or plays? How about we provide zero funding to any student groups just to keep things fair.

   — Marjorie    Oct 14, 01:52 PM    #

8. I know James Sheckleton from my previous assignment in SD. He is a thoughtful and honorable person. The name callers have it wrong. I also know of the rabid politics in SD – Check your history, and like uh the former Governor. Finally I think Marti has no concept of higher education “pay to volunteer”. What about service learning.And waht does Garyz want to spend money on non-education. I sense a couple of plant comments from “one of them”, the rabids

   — Paul    Oct 14, 09:44 PM    #

9. It’s good to see the right wing once again trying to put a straightjacket on democracy. Now we can start having the Free Speech Movement all over again on multiple campuses. In a climate of ideological collapse by the mainstream, this may open wonderful opportunities for a generation of rebels.

   — David A. McCullough    Oct 15, 09:35 AM    #

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