There is a disturbing free speech controversy at Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine after the school accused student Erin Lintag of violating the school’s code of conduct by telling President Donald Trump supporters to “unfollow” her. It is a direct assault on free speech and should be immediately withdrawn with a commitment to prevent such actions in the future.
“If you are my classmate and you voted for trump or support his ideals unfollow me. We will still be civil because we have to be, but you dont need me as a friend and I don’t need you.”
“Another reminder: Trump, Musk, RFK, & etc supporters will get the cold shoulder but if we have to fake it for our grade then we will. But otherwise, UNFOLLOW ME. QUICKLYYYYYYYY[.]”
Those were statements made on a private account off campus on a political issue. They should have been clearly outside the realm of school regulations and the conduct code.
Nevertheless, on January 28, the LMU-CVM Student Affairs Office notified Lintag that she was under investigation for possible violations of the Ethics and Honor Code of Conduct for a “Political social media post where ‘classmates’ were called out[.]”
Three days later at a meeting with the student, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions Elizabeth Devine charged Lintag with “Posting Instagram posts that were targeted at her ‘classmates.’” Lintag was given only 48 hours to accept or refuse responsibility.
By accepting responsibility, Lintag was told that she would be given an order to write a two-page paper “on the dangers of social media and how it poses risks of cyberbullying, privacy issues and mental health effects on others.” However, if she dared to contest the sanction, she would face a harsher penalty.
She relented and admitted guilt.
The university was wrong in launching this action and wrong in the heavy-handed treatment of the student. Even if this were a valid matter of investigation, there is no cognizable reason for a university to give a student just two days to make a decision or face severe penalties.
Lintag has every right to oppose President Trump and, while I disagree with her excluding those with opposing views, she has a right to limit her circle of friends and associates. It would certainly make for a better campus environment if students were more accepting of others with different political views. I get that. However, if Lintag wants to create her own echo chamber with like-minded people, she has every right to do so.
Lincoln Memorial University should apologize and guarantee that, in the future, the free speech rights of its students and faculty will be afforded greater protection.
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Author: jonathanturley
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