Is knowing my Constitutional rights too political?

Last spring, our college administration censored Migrant Justice at Middlebury (MJaM), a student solidarity network for Migrant Justice. In response to our efforts to keep our community informed about our constitutional rights to safety and free speech, we experienced the sudden revocation of previously awarded funding. We were told that if we wanted answers, we should meet with Hannah Ross, the college’s general legal counsel, and Smita Ruzicka, the vice president of student affairs. At a time when information about these rights has been removed from government websites, and confusion and fear are on the rise, we were extremely concerned by our college administration’s decision to suddenly and arbitrarily limit community education on our constitutional rights. And we still are. 

This past March, MJaM caught our administration’s attention after working on a variety of projects on “Know Your Rights” (KYR) information. These included classroom presentations on the 1st, 4th, 5th, and 6th amendments, workshops on what to do and not do if approached by an immigration officer on campus, and training sessions on being an effective bystander when someone encounters law enforcement. We applied for and were awarded a grant from the CCE to laminate a series of educational KYR wallet cards, but the project was abruptly terminated at our administration’s request. 

When we met with Hannah Ross and Smita Ruzicka, we were told that the reason behind the cancellation of our funding was because of a classic excuse: “We do not want to attract too much attention to the college.” Hannah Ross stated that the worry that prompted our censorship was due to a rumor that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “is treating the distribution of KYR and other materials as obstruction of justice, and thus, a criminal charge.” When we asked for further elaboration, however, she stated that she “did not know enough” to say more. We could not find a single public instance of what she claimed actually occurring. 

To comply with the administration, MJaM were barred from using any institutional resources for funding or general support for the production of KYR cards. If we were to continue working on these projects, we had to do so entirely on our own – which is exactly what we did. So, not only did we find that our college was actively complying with something blatantly unconstitutional under the cowardly excuse of “worry,” but it also tried to silence a student-led initiative working to fulfill what should be the college’s responsibility…based on nothing more than fear and rumor. 

This semester, some of the students who had been working on those KYR projects helped craft the Rights to Safety and Free Speech Student Referendum. This proposed referendum addressed the same topics that MJaM worked on last spring and was presented to the Student Government Association (SGA) earlier this October, only to be rejected on Nov. 5.  

At a Q&A forum with Ruzicka and Ross this past Nov. 17, students had the opportunity to ask questions about college policy to the administration staff and the SGA. What we heard were precisely the same excuses we heard at our meeting last May, with the added “501c3” claim. 

Hannah Ross stated that “Middlebury, as a 501c3 (our legal status as a non-profit educational corporation), needs to give space to the members of its community to exercise their voice, but not take positions on political issues.” Upon further questioning as to why educating our community on our constitutional rights is being labeled “a political cause” —  when the school funds events around political issues all the time — both Ruzicka and Ross were unable to give a proper response. Many students at the forum expressed concerns about the discrepancies regarding which legal measures are preventing the administration from supporting rights-based education. 

What truly is the risk, then? How can the college claim to live by its motto, Scientia et Virtus, when the spread of certain knowledge is restricted, and civic virtue is precluded? Failing to provide your student body with the resources to thrive and express themselves safely and freely on campus, to me, is the actual danger.

Although many questions remained unanswered, students who had initially been working on the KYR projects under MJaM were invited for a second conversation with Ruzicka and Ross to discuss a “potential collaboration”. After months of having our resources to distribute this information stripped away, the administration was finally willing to work with us on the matter. We cannot, however, trust that they will actually follow through.

So, what’s next? Students have requested another Q&A with college administration this coming J-Term to address the questions and concerns left unanswered —  matters that pertain to every single person on campus. The participation of a variety of students at the first forum proved that change is possible when addressed publicly and when an engaged community backs an initiative, building pressure. To get involved and stay informed on our ongoing efforts, follow students who are organizing around these issues on Instagram at @firewall_midd. We need your support. Every voice and every experience is deeply important.

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