Guest speaker event at U Memphis got canceled within 48 hours of scheduling

I watched a debate event get announced for last Friday at U Memphis, then get yanked off the calendar just 2 days later after a student group complained online. The reason given was 'scheduling conflict' but everyone knows it was the pressure from administrators worried about backlash. Has anyone else seen a planned campus speech event disappear this fast after pushback?

2 comments

2 Comments

gavins438d ago

I used to roll my eyes at people saying free speech was dying on campus, but seeing a debate get shut down in 48 hours over online complaints kind of changed my mind on that.

tessa_kelly8d ago

Have you tried reaching out directly to the faculty advisor who was supposed to host the event? Sometimes they can push back if enough students show support, even after the official cancellation. I've seen this play out before where the administration pulls a fast one, but if you get a few professors and student leaders to write emails questioning the "scheduling conflict," the school might backpedal a bit. The key is to act fast while everyone remembers what happened, because once a week passes, the whole thing gets swept under the rug. Also, document everything including the original announcement and the cancellation notice, because that paper trail matters if you want to take it to the student newspaper or the provost's office. Don't let them get away with that weak excuse without making some noise first.