Just realized that free speech event I rolled my eyes at actually got shut down for real

Back in October at my school in Texas, the Young Americans for Liberty group was hosting a debate on immigration. I figured it'd be another boring club meeting where nobody shows up. But admin stepped in 2 hours before and canceled it saying they didn't have the right permit for the room. The host posted the email chain and it was legit. Made me wonder how many other events just get quietly killed like that. Anyone else seen permits used as a shutdown tool?

2 comments

2 Comments

valsullivan9h ago

Start checking your school's event permit rules yourself before you plan anything. I dealt with this twice at my college where they pulled the permit card at the last minute, so now I always have a backup room booked under a different student group's name. Keep copies of all your email chains and room reservation confirmations because admin will try to claim you didn't follow procedure when you actually did.

wesley836h ago

Hang on @valsullivan also mentioned keeping email chains, but something people miss is that you gotta save the timestamps and read receipts too. Our school tried to say I submitted a form late when I had the automated confirmation showing it went through at 3:47 pm their time.