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Fairmont State University: Permission Required for Student to Gather Signatures on Campus

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Fairmont State University

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On August 30, 2016, Fairmont State University (FSU) student Dustin Winski attempted to collect signatures in support of national campus libertarian group Young Americans for Liberty. After less than an hour, an FSU campus police officer approached Winski claiming to have received complaints from students who were 鈥渇reaked out鈥 by Winski鈥檚 canvassing. The officer asked Winski if he had obtained permission to gather signatures and, learning that he had not, warned Winski that 鈥渟oliciting requires you to . . . ask permission to do it.鈥 When Winski sought clarification from an administrator, he was told that Fairmont State鈥檚 decision to require a permit would rest on 鈥渁 judgment call based on campus security and what they feel is soliciting.鈥 On October 7, 2016, 蜜桃直播 wrote to FSU President Maria C. Bennett Rose, asking the university to revise its 鈥淪olicitation鈥 policy to make clear to students that they do not need to ask permission to engage in protected political expression on the open areas of campus. On April 20, 2017, FSU鈥檚 Board of Governors voted to revise the unconstitutional aspects of the policy.

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