UT Students Protest Sign Ban On Eve of Election

Students at UT Austin are teaming up to challenge a University policy that says they can be kicked out of school for displaying a sign in a dorm-room window or on their dorm room doors.  Ordinarily the policy might not make headlines, but students are concerned for the chilling effect it is having on political speech just weeks ahead of an election that could set a record in voter turn-out.   

University officials cite aesthetic concerns and fire hazards as a justification for the policy, noting that students are free to express their political views on campus in other areas.  Students say the policy is being enforced in a content-based manner, however, noting that several signs for Obama and McCain have been removed, but nothing has been done about a sign that reads "Will flash for cash."   

Reports said the students planned to file a formal complaint on Monday.

-Kathleen A. Bergin