Central Connecticut State University: Controversy Over Newspaper Cartoon
Cases
Central Connecticut State University
Case Overview
On September 12, 2007, The Recorder, Central Connecticut State University鈥檚 student newspaper, published a cartoon that some readers found sexually and racially offensive, leading students and faculty to call for the suspension of the paper鈥檚 editorial board. On September 14, after the university president met with offended individuals, he urged the creation of 鈥渙versight boards鈥 to 鈥渓ook further into making substantive, constructive changes鈥 to the Recorder and suggested instituting a mandatory 鈥渃ultural awareness鈥 requirement. On September 20, FIREwrote to the university, reminding its president of the university鈥檚 constitutional obligation to uphold freedom of the press and urging the university to cease all unconstitutional actions resulting from the cartoon鈥檚 publishing.