University of Oregon: Student's Four-Word Joke Results in Five Unconstitutional Disciplinary Charges
Cases
University of Oregon
Case Overview
On June 13, 2014, the University of Oregon charged a female student with five conduct violations on the basis of a four-word joke shouted out a dormitory window at two individuals standing outside. The offending student, who yelled 鈥淚 hit it first,鈥 immediately apologized to the insulted students, whom she did not know, after they reported her to the Resident Assistant. Despite the student鈥檚 apology, UO charged the student with 鈥渉arassment,鈥 鈥渄isruption,鈥 and 鈥渄isorderly conduct,鈥 in addition to violations of the dormitory鈥檚 noise and guest policy. In an August 1, 2014, letter to UO, FIREdemanded that the school immediately rescind the charges against the student and revise its unconstitutional speech codes. Within 24 hours of FIREpublicizing the student鈥檚 case on August 26, UO dropped the charges against the student, despite claiming that her behavior may have violated school policies.