Mallet Assembly President Patrick Link displays a Scottish flag from a window in Byrd Hall. (Photo by Niko Corley)

UA considers new dorm policy

By Naomi Pate [Handley High School]

For years, objects such as flags, pictures of favorite celebrities, liquor containers, and art posters have graced the halls and windows of the dorms at the University of Alabama.

Next fall, however, a new policy may keep these objects behind closed doors. The administrators at the university are seriously considering a new policy that will limit flags, posters, and other dorm decorations that residents might find offensive.

The policy is being reviewed due to complaints about controversial flags and posters found outside of dorm rooms. Recently, some honors students at UA were told to take down a Confederate flag that was hanging in a hallway at Byrd Hall after the complaint of another resident’s father. The students were told that a new policy dealing with the displays of flags and other offensive materials was under consideration.

The policy has been under consideration for awhile, and the event at Byrd Hall had nothing to do with it,” said Catherine Andreen, director of media relations for the University of Alabama.

However, The Tuscaloosa News recently editorialized that the situation did “trigger the immediate need for a policy.”

UA officials say that lawyers are reviewing a draft policy that would prohibit displays that are inconsistent with accepted standards or University policies. The policy is being modeled after one adopted by Oregon State University.

According to Oregon State University’s Residential Life Student Conduct Policies and Procedures, available on the university’s Web site, students are free to display posters and other items in their rooms, but are not allowed to display anything that is inconsistent with the University policy. The policy also states that legal rights of expression will be protected and students are asked to exercise that right responsibly.

When asked how they feel about the policy most students agreed with the policy and say that if the objects cause controversy within the dorms then the university should do away with any and all of them.

“I agree with it basically because a visitor comes to the university and sees a Confederate flag hanging in the windows it will give UA a bad name,” said Major Highfield, a senior at the University of Alabama.
Some students believe that those who live in dorms should abide by university policies, regardless of what they are.

“When you live in a dorm, you pretty much give up your freedom anyway, so what’s a new policy?” said Mike Lowe, a senior at the University of Alabama.

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