In light of political protests on the Texas State campus, across the state, nation and world in the past few
years, it’s interesting to note that this is nothing new in San Marcos.
Consider the situation with the San Marcos 10. These 10 students at Texas State
University (then called Southwest Texas State University) took part in a
protest against the Vietnam War on campus, but were suspended and expelled from
the university in 1969.
Check out this brief video by The University Star: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ygdK1awjMA#t=15
Also, listen to this NPR report broadcast from Oct. 23, 2001, in which two
of the San Marcos Ten were interviewed: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1131946
Consider that this interview was conducted less than two months after the
terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001.
After you watch and listen to these reports, return here and add a
comment
with your reaction.
With your comment, please include your
first name and the initial of your last name, and your class (either MW Class or Online Class). I
need this information to keep track of your comments for participation points.
Friday, September 24, 2021
Free speech at Texas State
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116 comments:
Linda L.
Online class
After watching and listening to the reports, I had mixed feelings about the outcome of the protests. I think it's pretty messed up for what they did for the 10 students. It takes so much effort and time to maintain GPAs. I also think the final decisions for the 10 were too impulsive. I believe everyone has the right to express themselves in any kind of way, in any form. It shouldn't be a problem because we have that right. It's upsetting to see how people get mistreated and misjudged because of what they're standing up for.
Miracle L.
Online Class
After listening to the video and sound byte that were provided, I was disappointed, but not shocked. Considering this was in 1969, where many freedoms and civil liberties were still being fought for, it's not surprising that the school administration decided to handle matters in the way they did. It makes me feel a bit better that the San Marcos 10 received a letter from the dean warning them that there would be disciplinary action if they went through with the protest. It hones in on the fact that they went out of their way to do what they felt was right despite any consequences they would face. I'm content with the fact that they weren't fully blindsided, however, their punishment, in my opinion was completely unjustified, unconstitutional, and flat out disparaging. To take their GPA's down to 0.00, and suspend them from the university was a complete violation of their rights as students. Claiming that the students interfered with the "free flow of the education process" is straight bias on the judge's part, especially since they were peacefully protesting. It's disheartening that many of them had to wait years to finish, or transfer to other colleges, especially the one who went back to Texas State in 72, just to be told he couldn't walk the stage at graduation because a a "computer error". All in all, while this case is disheartening by today's standards, I'm grateful that people back in then were able to stand up for what they believed in, because they inspired and influenced so much change for the generations after them. It is because of people like them that we are able to have more of the freedoms that we are entitled to today. I'm grateful for the changes that have been made thus far, and I look forward to a hopeful future for the next generation.
Angela M.
Online Class
After watching and listening to the clip and soundbite provided, I was shocked at how the admissions treated the students during this protest. Not only to expel the students from merely participating in a protest while using their First Amendment right to speak out upon the war, but they also totaled those remaining ten students' GPAs to zero. As a student, I know how hard it is to get a GPA to where you want it to be, and for the admissions board to knock theirs down to zero broke my heart. Even if this did take place during 1969, I still feel as if the punishment to the San Marcos ten was harsh. Granted, they did receive a warning; they still wanted their voices to be heard among the masses and fight for what they thought was right. It warms my heart that even back then, people had the 'spark' to set off on a path that was different from others and help be a part of a growing movement of change or try to make a difference at least.
America has a long history of touting their support for freedom of speech and expression, then limiting those freedoms the moment someone wants to say something that goes against the status quo. They expelled those students because they expressed an opinion that was not popular. Its almost funny that the University was so heavy handed with them, since people went to college as a way to *not* go to war. You either went to college, or got drafted into the military. For them to provide a safe haven that prevented young men from being drafted, and then be upset because those men seeking safe haven publicly expressed discontent with a foreign war is kind of silly and contradictory.
What really angers me is that one of the San Marcos 10, David Bayless, was an army veteran that has already served in Vietnam. He went through hell only to come back and be punished for expressing an unpopular opinion about a war in a place he had just came back from. It truly angers me that the university had the audacity to suspend him for speaking out on something that he was more qualified to speak out on than anyone in the staff or faculty. As an OIR veteran, I would be absolutely outraged if something similar were to happen today. People who never served have no place telling veterans how they ought to feel about war.
Adriane C- online
Southwest Texas State had a reputation as a party school. I would not have thought that students would have been expelled for war protests. I forget that it was the Alma Matter for LBJ. At the time this happened, the Viet Name era, it does make more sense that the governing body took this stance. I am still surprised that after appealing the suspensions that the students were not allowed back in. It is this kind of protest that helped to build toward the current level of freedom of speech that we currently have. Many individuals had to sacrifice to help the courts build the knowledge and leniency that is afforded us now.
Alexandria A. : Online
I am upset about this situation, the reason being is because the protesting was done with no violence. The students were simply expressing their concerns. I feel as individuals should learn from others and the school could've worked with the students. However, the 10 students who stood their ground and had their GPA's dropped to 0 with no university credits remaining and being expelled is going to an extent. The consequences that took place then would not occur today. The manager editor should have not been fired, he stated facts and others had the right to be informed. In the end I'm glad the individuals who were kicked out eventually got their degree and education and stood for what they believed in.
Cassidy T. M/W
After finishing the video, I was appalled. I was horrified to learn these students were penalized to such a great extent. It’s not disbelieving, however. This has been something we have seen since the beginning of our country. Inequality, suppression of our basic rights and unfair rulings have taken hold of our nation even today. Their punishment, vague and ambiguous, was explement, a GPA of 0 with legal issues following. Even a professor who wrote an editorial about the silent protest was fired on an equivocal basis; they found themselves without a voice. As I reflect on this, I notice not only the punishments that ensued, but the gaping ambiguity found in Texas State’s (or Southwest back then) handbook. Ensuring the basic liberties of all is something we should hold as our utmost superior principle. Without this, infringement on our rights and unfair treatment is likely to befall on students and faculty alike. I enjoyed learning more about these processes and hope we never withstand a situation as brutal as this. And if we do, due and proper process will be upheld.
Amira A.
Online Class
I was shocked when I saw the videos. Expelling the students for voicing their opinion on the matter and removing all college credit they had is awful and unfair. If their credits were removed, a refund should be provided. Since the campus allows anyone to speak freely in the quad, the same rules should apply to the students.
Adaeze I. Online Class
After being able to hear the reports made about the San Marcos 10 I am not surprised by any means at the actions taken by the school. It's just sad that in a moment in which students are expressing their first amendment right on what was occurring in Vietnam that they were punished and to that extent.It's nothing new for schools to try anything to silence students voices and this surely wont be the last time. To sit there and completely erase their GPA's, expel them from school and later on in 1972 not allow a student to walk the stage at graduation all because of a peaceful protest is completely wrong
Autumn Atkins
Online Class
After watching the watching all of the information provided, I find that everything that happened to the San Marcos 10 was very telling of the times. Free speech and the right to protest is taken much more seriously these days. This was a time before gay marriage was legal and protesting those rights were met with serious kickback. I was shocked that the students were punished so severely. Their academic status and hard work should not have been trashed because they were expressing thoughts through protest. The school wanted to use this punishment as a warning to other students. If the students were to disobey or have other opinions again, they would also be met with the same fate. The school made and unfair power move that changed the trajectory of those students lives forever.
Tyler Z
Online Class
After gathering all the information given about this protest, I am very disappointed in how the San Marcos 10 were treated. It's a direct violation to their first amendment right, freedom of speech. All students should have the right to speak out against war and protest issues that they believe in. The punishment for these 10 were extremely harsh and unfair. They were expelled and issued zero's for their GPA's. All that hard work taken away due to something that was not considered wrong under the constitution. How can a school get away with such a punishment? This incident irritates me to the highest extent and I'm glad we have learned and changed from this. I hope we continue to make strives towards freedom and preventing unjust punishments.
Jared S.
MC 4301 MW class
After looking at the video and template, I think it was very wrong how SWT University handled the problem. The quad is the right area to practice free speech on campus and that is where the students were. The protesters were peaceful as well without any harm/damage done. Our country is backed by the First Amendment and the students demonstrated it well. What happened the the 10 students was handled poorly. They should have not been arrested because they were peaceful and then their grades should have not been messed with. I think how the university handled it, violated the students rights. People have the right to a peaceful protest/assembly.
Skyler Rupnow
MC 4301 MW class
After watching the video and listening to the podcast about the San Marcos 10, I'm somewhat disappointed about how Southwest Texas State handled the situation. It's disheartening to hear that the students faced such harsh repercussions for their peaceful protest. I don't think it was fair or even seemingly legal for the school to suspend them and drop their GPAs. Especially because of the time frame, I feel like many protests must have been erupting across the country for the end of the war, and for the administration to try to silence the students voices seems wrong. This was a direct violation of the student's first amendment right to peacefully protest and the fact that the administration said it could have potentially caused disruptions was a REACH. I'm honestly surprised that no other legal teams went in to help the student maintain their enrollment and fought alongside their rights. IT makes me wonder what the student body thought of this when it occurred.
Scott B.
MW class
I thought the way that Southwest Texas State handled the situation was wrong. It made sense for them to do that, however, I do not think it was right. I especially think it was wrong because we know Brother Jed and Sister Cindy have been visiting the University since that same time period and they have never been kicked off campus with what they say. I also do not understand how they "disrupted the flow of education" since they were literally sitting on the stallion statues. I also found it really cool how we have that kind of history here at Texas State. Coming to Texas State I have always been told and personally think it is a party school, but it is interesting to see how bobcats always find a way to do the right thing(most of the time).
Leah V
online
The way Southwest Texas handled everything was wrong. Considering it is a public university, all students should have the right to freedom of speech. Even if the school disagrees with it. My main confusion was that the San Marcos 10 were doing it outside their classrooms, so how was it affecting other's education? I'm glad to hear that some of the San Marcos 10 did go back and get their degrees. But they shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place. Unless it's directly affecting a class or other's safety then ANY University should have no right to silence the people. I found it interesting that they had a trial by judge, and the judged ruled the 10 would not be reinstated. Even though the 10 weren't the ones causing all the noise, but instead the general public. The 10 still got punished because they were the ones inciting the public's behavior. Which to me, is very unfair, because they could not control the crowd's reactions.
Briana M.
MW Class
After watching and listening to the podcast about how Southwest Texas State handled the problem, I feel that the way the situation was treated was unfair and was really wrong. I put myself in their shoes and would be very upset if I was suspended and my GPA was dropped because I was part of a peaceful protest. The fact that it was only 10 students who were protesting also shows that they could've handled the situation better and talked to each student individually to voice whatever concerns that they had. Also, the fact that it was such a small amount of people does not make sense that they were arrested, when they could've just been asked to leave. Not only was this a direct violation of the student's first amendment but it also violated other rights that the students had. I believe that the students were NOT causing such disruptions that they had to arrest the students. If I was this student I would have fought and taken legal measurements. Not only did the University handle this very poorly, but I think that the students should have spoken and fought for their fellow students that every action that was taken was wrong and unfair.
After watching the youtube video, I believe that the way the protest of the Vietnam War and the way it was handled, was completely wrong. To suspend students and give them a 0 gpa along with no earn university credit is unfair. Especially so in this case because it was a peaceful protest which included an Army Veteran that served in country during the war.
Now considering that it is a public university, these students should have been protected by the freedom of speech. Because the protest remained peaceful, I do not understand how it would have corrupted the flow of education amongst the campus.
After listening to the NPR podcast, I can agree with the way that David Bayless said that there (was) such a high pro-war attitude in the months following the terrorist attack. While its not as high energy of the pro-war, there is still a very high energy of "America, love it or leave it" to this day. Which I don't foresee going away anytime soon. Which is both a good and bad thing because I feel that it adds to the further division that we are seeing in the country today.
Autumn Silva (online class)
Listening to this podcast and watching the video I thought it was very cruel of Texas State what they did to these 10 students. everyone should have a voice and express their feelings and rights. Especially knowing we have a free speech right, students should be able to speak about their concerns. The school shouldn't be allowed to expell or even drop a students GPA due to what they say at protests. So glad things have changed since then and now anything can say anything at the quad.
The students that participated in this event were very brave and courageous due to the fact that they were warned that they would be stripped of all their academic rights if they carried out the protest. Im going to side with the students in fact that they should have rights to express their speech without any consent from the administration. One of the San Marcos 10 recently had gotten back from Vietnam so it was a no brainer that he was going to protest, but I think that the fact that many of the men would've been drafted immediately after being expelled drastically cut the numbers of people who protested that day.
Brendan M. -- Online Class
I had never heard of the San Marcos 10 before today, and was relatively surprised that SWTXST was involved in a situation like that one, which so egregiously suppressed their students constitutional rights. I'm sure that times were a bit different in '69 than they are today, but I'm certainly glad that our current administration is as aware and supportive of protecting students' free speech as they seem to me to be. I also thought the man who man who was interviewed in the NPR segment was right on point about the societal and political pressure to be supportive of the country doing war time, which can a tremendously difficult thing to ask of people who are generally not supportive of violent interventions to any matter.
Lauren Hartung M/W Class
I think the way the school handled the students' peaceful protest was outrageous. There was no violence or even any words said at all during the protest, yet the 10 students who remained got punished so severely. All they were doing was exercising their first amendment right in a public space. They were not disrupting anyone's education, yet they still got their education taken from them. Not only did they get suspended for a year, they also got all of their credits completely erased and their GPA dropped to a 0. And this was all for what? Sitting silently in a circle with a cardboard sign? It's infuriating to think that schools have so much power and control over what their students can express as individuals even to this day.
Russell Van Hellen
Online 4301.080
I’m surprised that I have not heard of the San Marcos 10 before this class. Being able to protest is a right to free speech. I know this instance was during a different time - but I’m glad I am part of an era where voice and protest is taken much more seriously. Protesting should not be met with censorship or suppression, let alone disciplined. It seems to me that they were trying to make an example of these students so others would not follow. Stripping students of their education and stance with the school is far more detrimental than some may think. Their education was earned. This is uncalled for and the power over them was abused in all circumstances.
Sofia A.
Online
These were some strong individuals who had peaceful beliefs that were unwavering, and they were punished for it. This completely goes against the First Amendment, as every citizen of the United States is granted the rights of free speech and assembly. Although the scene never got disruptive or violent, there was the "possibility" that their peaceful protest would cause disruption. The San Marcos 10 were definitely wronged that day as Southwest Texas State University should have stood by their students, and stood by the protection of their own right to disagree with war and violence.
Matt S
M/W Class 3:30:50
After watching the youtube video and hearing the three-minute clip, the reactions that I came away with were shocked and surprised. The reason why I was shocked was because of the fact that because of the San Marcos 10 actions, they all had their GPAs dropped to 0 and were suspended from the campus itself. I was also shocked that the courts upheld the school's decision because it looked like no harm was done during the protests yet the ten students had to suffer heavy consequences as a result of their actions. I was then surprised by how significant the Bronco-like statues were as a result of the San Marcos 10 protest of the Vietnam War. Overall, the video and the clip sends a strong message of how times have changed since 1969 and how even if there is a small protest, you have to figure that there might be consequences whether you like it or not.
Melynda G MW
After listening to the reports, I still feel like the students were of course treated unfairly. Though it’s almost not surprising that the consequences the students suffered were due to the high tensions surrounding the Vietnam war. Considering that the protest was non-violent and silent, there was no need for the students to have dealt with such a hard conviction by the university. They were quite literally standing for what they believed in, and that they even endured their GPAs dropping to zero for the same reason is almost unfathomable to me.
Khameyah T ( ONLINE)
I'm disappointed but sadly not surprised by this action. It has been ingrained in not only this institution but many around the nation that it is acceptable to strip students of their constitutional right to freedom of speech and assembly. I thought it was sad that a university of all places would be the number one culprit to this. Even though this took place in 1969 and the mindset of the American people were for the war it speaks volumes when a divergent group goes against it. Instead of silencing them, they should have encouraged them to not only protest but find avenues and provide resources that could actually help them. Unfortunately, that's too optimistic for the world we live in. It's honestly despicable to have allowed the university to drop the student's GPA to zero. They expressed their first amendment right and got punished severely for it.
David C MW
After listening and watching the reports I was surprised. I wasn't surprised that they faced disciplinary consequences as this was 1969 a much different time in U.S history than today but rather shocked by what those consequences were. The dropping of the GPA's to zero was especially horrendous in my opinion and could have severely damaged those individual's lives. Everyone no matter what year it is has the right to express themselves and say or stand up for what they believe in and should not have to deal with backlash or legal or any other type of consequences from others who do not agree or share the same beliefs.
Ireland S. MW
My reaction to the San Marcos 10 protest against the Vietnam War is that of disappointment. Although this is from 1969, it is still an issue to this day and will forever be apart of Texas State and the San Marcos culture. I think that the students were not given the correct treatment under the Constitution and should have been able to protest as they please. The two students in the NPR interview had signs that read "peace now" and "bring our brothers home", both of which are non-violent and utterly peaceful. I believe the students should not have had their GPA's dropped to zero and been expelled; this is heinous and uncalled for.
Amanda Ramos M/W
It saddens me so much that U.S. citizens have suffer so much in order to be heard; although, the constitution clearly states that all Americans have intangible rights such as freedom of speech and to peacefully protest. The students where not doing anything wrong in the eyes of constitution. At a collage level these students are considered adults which, makes it worse for me because the university are trying to suppress hard working good members of society that are trying to do better for themselves. It seems to me like the educational system whom has ties to the government for funding and possibly more are working together to try and suppress as many people as they can. Every time a person is punished for simply speaking it causes a huge problem for America in a negative way; if only the public entities, the judicial system, and really everyone would understand that we could all live a little more harmoniously. However, until then we are going to need more people like the San Marcos 10 in this world to speak out for what they believe is right no matter the consequence or situation occurring in the world. It is these people who shape America.
Elaine D. (Online class)
The topic of free speech specifically on campus is an interesting topic. It saddens me to hear about the San Marcos 10. I think the consequences were severe for what they did, and the result happened fast. In regards to freedom and rights, I think those 10 were had their rights infringed upon.
Nicole Lopez
MC 4301
After listening to what happened to the San Marcos 10 I was pretty disappointed about the way the administration of Texas State reacted. The stallions are now one of the most famous landmarks in our campus because it serves as a symbol of freedom of speech and how it should be celebrated but unfortunately that was not the case in 1969. However, although I was disappointed, I was not surprised about the reaction this protest received. The reason I was not surprised is because America tends to fear the unknown a bit more than they love freedom. This is demonstrated by the laws they pass whenever they are at war or fear a war approaching such as their almost war with France where they passed the alien and sedition act, the smith act when the red scare was going on, and the patriot act after 9/11.
Adjia S. MW 3:30
After the reading and watching up I did to gain knowledge on the San Marcos Ten, I was left in genuine awe. Though I'm not completely surprised at how they were spoken to when being told to leave the property, I was shocked by the courts agreeing with their punishment. GPA taken down to 0? Outrageous. They were treated like the plagiarized and damaged school property. In no way were they treated like young students that just wanted their voices to be heard & were being the change they wished to see. The school ruined their futures just to prove a point.. one that does that respect their "constitutional rights" that we all apparenty have. This was in 1969 and though their punishments were far too harsh, we don't get the same punishments today but we do have a bit of suppression of our voices on campus in 2021. We have much to work on as a society.
Emmanuel O.
Online Course
After watching the University Star video and listening to the NPR podcast I am incredibly disappointed in the disciplinary actions the university decided to pursue for those ten students. I don't believe that signing up for a public university should deprive you of your right to peaceful protesting. Furthermore, the students were gave a broad statement that "disciplinary action" could be taken, which is such a broad term. Although this was a different time, the values upheld by our constitution still stood at the time.
After watching and listening to the videos that were provided i was disappointed with how Southwest Texas State handled the whole situation, i understand that this was in 1969 but the students were causing no harm and were peacefully protesting the entire time, while the administration was breaking the 1st amendment law, and not just that but also putting the students future's in jeopardy as well, by decreasing there gpa all the way down to zero and pulling out all of their credits that they had earned from attending the school. This was un called for and administration abused their power in every way they could.
Giselle M Online Class:
After listening to both audios/videos, I find it unjust that the college decided to simply suspend these students for using their right of freedom of speech to share their beliefs on the war at hand. Additionally, to drop their GPA all the way back down to zero is meant for nothing more than to rub salt into the wound. As a student I know the difficulty and struggle of having to get it up high, I can't even imagine starting from zero after so many years of schooling. The college is completely in the wrong for taking all those actions and going as far as to even breaking the first amendment.
MW class
I feel like the punishments given to the San Marcos 10 by SWT was completely uncalled for because I do not believe that they did anything wrong. The protestors were practicing free speech in an area that is known for that exact reason and did not cause any violence or threats to anyone. The students were using their First Amendment rights and did not deserve to be punished so harshly. I don’t understand why their GPAs were taken away either, I felt that was very unnecessary and mishandled. This decision does not make any sense to me, and I find it unfair and unjust. It was a public university and students should be able to express free speech on campus.
After watching the video by the University Star and listening to the podcast, I personally find the punishment that was given to the San Marcos 10 extremely unfair. It was unfair that the university decided to suspend them and dropped their gpa's down to zero. It was a cruel and unfair punishment. I was really disappointed in the way the university decided to handle the situation. The San Marcos 10 were peacefully protesting and caused no harm therefore the university was violating these students' first amendment rights.
After learning more about the San Marcos 10, I think it's absurd what happened to them. Honestly, I'm surprised something like this didn't end up going to the USSC because this story sounds like something that would become a landmark decision.
I believe that SWT infringed on the students first amendment rights. Considering that they were peacefully protesting and assembling, they were treated unfairly by the administration. Higher education is designed to be a place to express different ideas and question the validity something like the war overseas. This case also proves how unfair the justice system can be at times. The judge's reasoning for their ruling that because their presence alone disturbed the peace, even though they were peaceful, the university acted correctly is BS.
I especially think it's wrong that the managing editor who wrote about the protest was fired for calling the administrations actions unconstitutional. It's especially wrong because the University Star's motto is " Defending the First Amendment since 1911." Thus, it's pretty hypocritical to fire someone who's trying to educate the public about students first amendment rights being violated.
Crystal M
M/W Class
After watching the University Star report on the San Marcos 10, it made me sad for those 10 students that decided to stay. I felt it was wrong to academically punish them because they were not causing problems or class distractions. Paying for the school and trying your best is hard work and dedication that shouldn't have been taken away. It should have been allowed to share thoughts on what was going on at the time, being a public school. Hearing the NPR report and stories from those who experienced it was very interesting. It made me happy that some people at the time did not care about the punishment just because they wanted to make a point and stand up for what they believed in.
MW Class
After watching the video provided and listening to the audio from the interview, I can't help but feel enraged. When they didn't let David Bayless walk across the stage due to "computer error", it made me heated. I cannot stand when authority flat out abuses power, simply because they can. This is also pretty shocking to me, as I initially considered Texas State to be a left-leaning university like most are. I am surprised that no courts dismissed their charges, and given the circumstances of the protest, I am even more shocked that they were expelled with a GPA of 0. It is ridiculous that the school tried to defend itself, stating that the entire act of the protest created noise. What makes me most upset is that this is unfortunately not a story of justice, but rather a dark part of Texas State's history. I have also never heard of this, so I suppose authority may want to keep it on the down low.
Abbey H. M/W 3:30
I loved the interview with the 2 students. I loved seeing that they both got to graduate even though one graduated so much later. I think it is extremely important to note that one of the protestors was a man who was in the war and had seen the war for what it really was. Not just the American perspective on the other side of the ocean. I wonder what these students felt about the release of the pentagon papers. If it were me I would have probably felt empowered knowing I stood on my beliefs that were more aligned with what I think is morally correct about the war. But the fact that the students got expelled and they didn't receive any credit... how is that legal? Would they not have to pay back their tuition because all of the classes they paid for and got graded on didn't just vanish. I loved that they had no blame for the students who got up and left. It said many of the boys who were there might have been drafted off if they were expelled, from that context I'm assuming they got to be exempt from the draft if they are enrolled in college. I think it's tragic the students did not get reinstated but the quad is now a stronger structure for the purpose of free speech. I can personally recall seeing several religious protestors, usually with crazy ideas but they still deserve a place to let their message be heard.
Macey Speed
MW Class
After watching and listening to these reports, I'm surprised and disappointed by how the situation with the San Marcos 10 resulted. Considering the incident occured in 1969, the context provides some insight into why the students were punished so severely, but it's still incorrect. Southwest Texas administrators abused their power and the court clearly infringed on these students rights protected by the First Amendment. It's interesting how to University star produced that video on this in 2015, our campus' environment regarding free speech and assembly has come a long way and the San Marcos 10 is an important part of that journey.
Brooke Elliott - M/W 3:30 p.m.
After listening to the NPR interview with the two students and the watching the University Star video, it was interesting to see how Texas State handled the protests. In the youtube video, the ex-Texas State employee shared his belief on how the faculty blatantly disregarded the students first amendment rights. I think that with the controversy involved around the Vietnam War, these students should have been allowed to practice their given rights. Something that made me upset was learning in the video that the ten students were expelled and given no credit for curriculum they had already taken. I think that the way Texas State faculty and administrators handled the situation was wrong. Also learning that one of the students had already served in the war goes to show that they did not care about how they were treating the students.
Tanner Yarbrough
MW Class
After accessing the given resources I have to say I am disappointed but not surprised at the outcome of the situation. The blind nationalism displayed by the university was evident and it compelled Texas State to completely disregard the students' first amendment rights. I don't think anything like the San Marcos 10 could even happen today, as discussion is becoming more and more welcome and celebrated.
Despite the students being given ample warning of the consequences of their actions, I still wholeheartedly feel that their first amendment rights were infringed upon. In the midst of such a life-changing war and period of public dissent, students should have had the right to peacefully protest on their campus, as higher education is designed to be a period of free-thinking and gaining more worldly knowledge. In addition, the government silencing opinions that disagree with federal decisions makes sense for the time period, but not being silenced by the school through dropping GPAs and credits, and being suspended from campus. I also do not believe that it could even be claimed their demonstration disrupted education, as it was in an outdoor space completely detached from any sort of classroom or study setting.
I wholeheartedly support the students' right to free speech. They had every right to do what they did. I am in awe of their strength and courage to do the right thing in the face of adversity. That being said, I had no idea Texas State is still considered a "yellow" school. The fact that there are still vague rules concerning constitutional rights is a slap in the face to what this country is founded on.
After watching the video by the University Star and listening to the podcast, I personally find the punishment that was given to the San Marcos 10 utterly unfair and unjustifiable. I do not at all agree with the university's actions by suspending the students, and significantly damaging their GPA. The way I see it I think it was very outrageous to say the least, and frankly I'm actually very disappointed in how The university responded. The students had every right to protest as they pleased. No one was harmed or threatened in any way shape or form, so the university's actions are absolutely unconstitutional.
Mia B. MW class
I was shocked listening to the NPR interview and watching the youtube video about the San Marcos 10. I wouldn't have thought that the university would take such drastic measures against the protesting students. It was upsetting to hear that their GPAs were demoted to zeroes and hearing one of the 10 interviewed that his name wasn't on the graduation list. What made this more upsetting was that it was a peaceful protest on campus. However, I am glad that the stallions now stand as a place to protest on campus. The university responded horribly to the situation in order to please the country in my opinion.
After watching the video and listening to the NPR interview, I am stunned and appalled. I had absolutely no idea that our First Amendment rights were different being a college student. I thought these four years of college were here to expand your thoughts and belief system, not to quiet them? I can not believe they dropped their GPA to 0 as well as expelling these 10 students just for standing up for what they believed in-- all without hurting a soul or damaging a fly. One of the greatest things to me as an American is that we can say what we want and stand for what we want-- however, knowing that this is merely not true in some cases, is just heartbreaking. This brings to mind recent protests these past couple of years and makes me question the actions of higher-ups in this country even more.
It’s interesting to hear and see the bravery of the students, and their unwillingness to give up on what they believed in. It’s really unfortunate that they faced life changing repercussions for expressing their opinion, something which is protected by the bill of rights. Nevertheless, I think their sacrifice allowed for a greater discussion to happen on campus. I also think it encouraged others, who might have not spoken out, to speak out against the Vietnam war afterwards.
Angelica J
Online class
Leanna P.
M/W class
After reading and listening to the clips provided, I was shocked at how the students were punished and dealt with during the protests. I think the expulsion of the students was over the top and very unnecessary. The removal of their college credits and GPA is unfair and never should have happened. The quad is known to be where students can go and practice free speech so I think their rights should have been protected.
M/W class
After looking at all of the information given about this protest, I truly can't believe how Texas State went about the San Marcos 10. I believe students should have the right to protest especially on the quad, considering we have tons of outside people who don't even attend this University who protest there. I understand that they were told to stop, but there was also a professor who joined in that didn't get in trouble for this. So how is it fair to knock all of their GPAs down to 0 and get expelled from the University while also not doing anything to the professor? As a student that breaks my heart because I know how much time and energy it takes to maintain a GPA, so this was just cruel in my opinion. I believe they were expressing their rights and shouldn't have had to endure any of that. I hope nothing of the sort ever happens again, students should have the right to freedom and expression.
Sarah Gibson
M/W Class
Throughout history it is upsetting how much free speech was suppressed in the United States. This specific incident really shocked me of how extreme they went to punish these 10 students. I think it was too extreme and unjust. I also find it shocking that our first amendment rights can be altered as a student. I think that these students had their first amendment rights infringed on and I don't think it should be acceptable for a university to attempt to alter GPA's and graduation. Overall this incident surprised me and I don't think what happened was okay.
As a student here I am very disappointed about what went on with the San Marcos 10. The students were trying to stand up for what they believed in and it’s not like they were promoting violence or anything bad. The protests that they held were peaceful protests and didn’t cause harm. I think that the school’s decision to expel the students was a horrible and lazy one. Students come to college as adults and should be treated as such, which includes their first amendment right as American citizens. The same right the school was violating. Not only were they expelled but their GPA’s were zero’s . It takes incredible hard work to earn a degree and that was taken away from them, that should have never been done.
Dylan Roddy
M/W 3:30 p.m.
The punishment given to the San Marcos 10 was extremely unjust. The students right to peacefully protest was tarnished that day and i'm surprised that they were ultimately left with nothing. Unfortunately, I don't think this was anything new from this era of civil rights. The Vietnam war had already proved the willingness to suppress any dissent towards disagreement with the Pentagon Papers. Over time I think the rights steps have been taken to better preserve the first amendment especially for students.
It’s always interesting to me how this nation is supposed to be built on freedom and individual rights but as soon as young people try to use those rights it’s an issue. To know that this happened so long ago and the same thing happens now is not surprising but frustrating. The nation young people are born into a nation that teaches you to have your own voice but, it clearly also means you have to be a certain demographic for your voice to be valid. Peaceful assembly. They showed a very pure case of that and were overly punished in my opinion. Nobody was being disturbed or disrupted, nothing was offensive, and they were calm in their protest. The school also may have ruined these young people’s future careers because of the harsh punishment.
I can't believe that this actually happened to real students, it's scary to me. To me, it seems like these students were simply exercising their first amendment rights in a very peaceful and calm manner. To punish them at all seems ridiculous, but the extent that they went to blows my mind. It's unacceptable that they were expelled and had their GPAs dropped to zero. All in all, this video shocked me.
My initial reaction was annoyance and empathy towards the young adults who had all their hard work at Texas State ultimately taken from them for standing up for what they believed in. I think any attack or rush to disassemble peaceful protests is completely outrageous and based on nothing but fear of the dissenting message. There is a bit mentioned that the students did not receive proper permission to hold the protest. Even if this was the case the likelihood is that they were denied permission again just because those giving it did not agree with the premise and message of the silent sitting. I was also frustrated at the kids who decided to get up and not participate anymore. To be frank, the power the university authorities have is significantly based on the consent of its student body. 100 students would be completely unreasonable to eject from the university over such a frivolous cause. However, 10 people are much more likely to be swept under the rug and not gain much media attraction. As we all know media attraction plays a pivotal role in legal proceedings in certain situations. This would've perhaps been one of those times that enough attention could've gotten these students reinstated.
After watching and reading the material, I am shocked that this actually happened. The fact that these students were just using their first amendment rights in a peaceful way and got punished because of it is ridiculous and quite scary to me. The "consequences" that they were given also are completely absurd. Having all of their GPAs dropped to zero and being expelled by the university is terrifying. It makes me wonder if something like this could occur today.
Mallory Ritch, Online class
It's hard to believe that something like this happened at our very own school. My initial reaction to the material was that it was absolutely in violation of their rights to peacefully assemble and protest. When tensions are high and opinions like those are so divisive, it's hard to fight against the majority. I think that the interviews being just after 9/11 offers a different perspective than would have been given had it been any other time either before or later on after. The post-terrorist attack viewpoint that one of 10 had really struck me. He said that any differing opinion that isn't 100% behind the war effort, people just don't want to hear it. I think it was wholly unfair for them to be dropped from the university without even being able to keep their university credits. As well as not being able to be reinstated, it showed that the university really only cared about the political implications their actions had and not entirely about what should have been the number one priority: the education of their students.
Freya C
M/W Class 3:30
After watching the news package from the University Star and hearing the clip, I must say I'm disappointed by Texas State yet not really surprised given the political climate of the time. I feel like many schools had issues with students protesting against the Vietnam War, or just protesting in general. In fact, I'm aware that some schools still oppose this today and threaten action against the students participating. It is sad that in a society built off of democracy, that members of society are deprived a voice in which to display and communicate their beliefs. The fact that the school decided to strip the students of their GPA and essentially all of their hard work that they paid for is disgusting. I don't think a school should have the right to expel students for protesting current issues, especially when a student is paying for their education. It's gross to me that schools obtain that amount of authority over someone's life, especially when they're attempting to commit to a higher education.
Hallie Hausman / MC 4301.080 ONLINE
After hearing the video and watching the youtube video I was pretty shocked with the consequences. Although the dean did warn them there would be consequences if they went through with it, I feel like it was really harsh for what they did. For them to be expelled and gpas dropped to 0 seems very intense for it seemed like a peaceful protest and they had already paid for their tuition. There are still protests today, I think as long as you are not harming anyone and staying your ground it should have been okay or at-least less intense consequences.
Fernando F.
Online Class
I believe that the university's actions of dropping the student's GPA and expelling them is completely unacceptable. Them protesting is an action that should be protected and it's not like they were causing a riot or destroying property. Regardless of the Univerity liking their actions or not they should not have been punished as severely as they did, and hopefully, this type of abuse of power would not be allowed nowadays.
Online class:
After watching the videos and hearing the broadcast, I feel this is so messed up for the students that are standing up for their rights and yet they get expelled or their GPA dropped. The university should understand that they have their rights to stand up for themselves through the First Amendment. Up to this day, America still have protest all around and they still get punished for what they believe in. Good thing our time is big on media so whatever people do to each other, it will be known. Overall I'm glad that the students that got expelled from standing up for what they believed in end up getting their education.
Kacey V.
Online
After watching and listening to these reports on the protests, I feel that the punishment given to the San Marcos 10 was unfair and undeserved. Our first amendment gives us the right to free speech and peaceful assembly, which was clearly not considered when the decision was made to expel, suspend, and lower the students' GPA. I understand that the time period and people's opinions were different in 1969, but I do not think this is an excuse for the rash decision that was made. If I were in the position of those students, I would be devastated to be suspended or expelled, but to also have my hard-earned GPA lowered to 0 and my credits taken away would be heartbreaking. I believe that everyone has a right to be stubborn and stand up for what they believe in, no matter who has a difference of opinion.
I think it was overboard for them to lower the student's GPAs to zero. They had every right to peacefully protest, yet their rights were taken from them. As a student, it hurt to hear that they were punished in the worse way possible, which is having your credits taken. Their rights were violated, and the education they were worked hard for was stripped away. This all stemmed from simply having a different opinion which is still an issue across many campuses. The second an opinion goes away from the prevalent belief, you get harshly punished. I wonder what would have if a peaceful protest was to occur at Texas State today. Hopefully, students will be able to express themselves without facing the consequences.
Reilly L. (Online Class)
After watching the video and listening to the report, I am shocked to hear the extent of their punishment. I understand that it is 1969, but the punishment for sitting with signs wanting peace warrants no university credit, suspension, and a 0 GPA? I think that is a little harsh. The suspension is enough punishment in my eyes. It is hard to believe how things have changed but not much. I believe peaceful protest would be appreciated more on-campus nowadays. The Stallion is seen as that place where people can say anything, but I've also seen people arrested by UPD for not liking the political stance of another student. Overall, one comment really stuck out to me from the NPR report. Burleson mentioned how protesting against the norm is portrayed differently than other protests towards the norm. I think this can be seen in our daily lives still on the Texas State campus.
Madelyn Barnhill
Online Class
After watching the video on YouTube, I am quite surprised that this actually happened on campus. While there has been school retaliation to some student speeches or rallies, the consequences were not to those extremes. The though of losing all of your class credit as well as gpa points solely because you are standing up for what you believe in baffles me.
I believe that the interviews from these students offer a different perspective now that it is after 9/11. The perspective directly after 9/11 was something similar to that during the time of the early Vietnam war which would be pro-war and pro-united states. Directly after 9/11, Americans were reflecting these same values. It highlights that if the majority of the population is supportive of one view point, it is hard to stand up for a different view point without facing consequences.
I think it was completely unfair for these students to be denied of the credits and gpa that they earned through hard work in school simply because of a varying view point.
After that video and interviews I am really disappointed in Texas State. I don't even believe any sort of punishment was needed at all. They were peacefully protesting...just sitting there with signs. And just cause people might have disagreed with it doesn't mean the school should have expelled them and wiped their GPA and credits. GPA and credits take years to build up and the fact that Texas State dealt with it like that is really shameful in my opinion. The stallions have always been a hub of free speech and protests on campus, whether we agree with what they're saying or not. Hopefully TXST doesn't recreate any of this behavior towards their students and our free expression rights.
Megan Amft
Online MC4301
After watching the video and listening to the interviews I was shocked at the outcome of the protests that happened on campus in 1969. Vietnam protests were common during this time because of how unpopular the war was amongst young adults in the United States. It's important for people and especially for students to have the freedom to think critically about the systems they are about to enter into. How can a campus live to its full teaching potential without allowing freedom of expression or thought? The consequences for their protests were outrageous. These students held a peaceful protest that was in no way dangerous to the campus around them. Expelling them and taking away their right to education was against their 1st amendment freedom of speech.
I remember hearing my Grandma and Grandpa talking about all the Vietnam protests that would happen at campuses all over the country. I think that expulsion and removing them from school was a step too far. If a protest or gathering is peaceful, then what is it hurting? I definitely think this was a violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution.
St.John R.
Online class
I think it's really interesting how if you leave it up to an institution to take measures to protect student rights, they won't take action. I would think that following a violation of the rights of students you would compensate for that and try to do better, especially after what they did to those students.
Melina Madrigal
(Online Class)
I think that is was very counter productive for the University to react the way they did. In an effort to not have something look bad on the University, they caused even more attention to be drawn, and even more negative publicity. I also think it is awful how the students had their GPA's ruined. As a public school they should be wanting students to think for themselves and be educated and bold enough to stand for the things they believe in but instead they show they value none of that by shutting it down and saying their educational efforts meant nothing. Not only time and effort but I think about the money aspect. If that was me, my family and I could not afford to put me through college again. I think it is also horrible how the man in the NPR clip stated that he went back to Southwest Texas and graduated in 72' but they told him there was a computer error and he could not walk the stage and his diploma was mailed to him. So much for our University standing up for world changers and free-thinkers. It is very disappointing. I wish the University would do something now to right their wrongs.
I think they dished out a very harsh punishment that did not fit what they did. It's not like they rioted on campus or anything; they held a peaceful and silent protest that didn't do anything harmful. I think it was an egregious attack on our right to free speech, and I'm glad that Texas State seems to have learned from its mistakes in the past. Although this happened here at Texas State, given the climate of this time period toward anti-war protests, I'm not surprised it happened. The powers that be were not very enthused with anti-war protests at the time, and back before phones and video recording, it was difficult to hold governmental bodies accountable for their transgressions against their governed people. I'm happy that the two who were on NPR still got to end up getting their degrees, but I can't believe they acted like the computer made a mistake so he couldn't walk across the stage. Either way, I will definitely look at the horse statue on campus differently when I pass it now.
JohnPaul E. (Online Class)
After watching The University Star's video and after listening to the NPR report audio, I disagree with the outcome to this situation. These 10 students were not treated fairly and even if they broke the rule I don't think expelling them, dropping their GPA, and not counting any of their hours was the proper solution. Those students worked hard toward their degree and having to be set back like that was appalling to me. The first amendment was violated in this situation because these students weren't given the full ability of freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. These students weren't hurting anybody or causing destruction. What I can say is that times have definitely changed. Today, we have seen more and more people come out and fight for what they believe is right whether it's through speaking out for peaceful protesting. I was also surprised that one of the students were able to go back and graduate from Texas State, even though he wasn't able to walk the stage. Overall, I think we should all be able to express ourselves and we shouldn't be silenced just because somebody wants us to.
Jadan R.
Online
After watching the short clip and the NPR report I find it crazy the action Southwest Texas decided to take regarding these ten students. These ten students had the right to speak up for what they believe in even if others don’t agree with them. They broke no rules because according to the First Amendment they have the right to protest. SouthWest Texas were the one who broke the law. There should have been action taken against the university for not following the law. Also, to make these students GPA drop to zero and to expel them was very hateful. As a college student I understand how hard it can be to maintain a good GPA. Also as a student anyone should have the right to fight for what they believe especially when it’s part of our rights. The university was definitely in the wrong. Lastly, the one student that did go back to finish college, it surprises me that they were so mean to where they made up an excuse to why he wasn’t able to walk the stage.
Logan L
Online Class
After watching the video with the University Star I was shocked that the 10 students were completely expelled and their GPA's were dropped down to a 0.0 all because they were standing up for something that they believed in. In my opinion back then and even now no school should have the rights to do that to any students especially when we are the ones paying for our tuition. During the interview, it came to shock that the men that were a part of the protest could get canceled from being possibly drafted for the war. No matter what I think. that the suspension. from school for a year was way out of line for the University.The Jury should have also been able to have a say during court not just the judge. The main point is that the reason they lost at court was because of it "being too loud". Also after he had gone back to sOuthwestern University there was no reason as to why David was not able to walk across the stage after finishing up his Bachelors degree.
Ethan S.
Online
After watching the "Free Speech at Texas State University" video and NPR broadcast, I was shocked to learn about this story on our campus several decades ago. Of course, I understand the whole situation happening at that time and the goal these ten students were trying to reach, but being punished for what they stood for is wild. It was said in the video that these administrators trying to break up the peaceful protest were the ones breaking the law because it went against our first amendment right. Then even with that, they went ahead and deprived them of receiving any university credit, lowered their GPAs, and got expelled. Overall it was completely irresponsible of the school to do what they did to those that participated in such a peaceful protest of the Vietnam War.
This story is interesting to me because it wasn't actually that long ago, the San Marcos Ten are still here and had to create a different path after getting their college credits taken. I am not surprised that the university did what it wanted to do in order to protect itself, but the way the students were not only stripped of their rights but also of their college experience for standing up for Peace really bothers me. Their education is separate from their beliefs, and they were not hurting anyone, they were well within their rights. This is a frustrating story and I'm sure similar things still happen to this day.
After watching and listening to the clips I am so shocked that this happened. I had no idea that this happened here on campus. I am so used to seeing people on the quad sharing their opinions and protesting that I had not taken a step back and thought about if it was always like this. It made me so sad that they suspended them for a whole year. School is so much work and takes so much of your time to then get it all taken away because they were expressing their opinion. It also made me frustrated that one of the guys had even gone to Vietnam and they punished him. They completely invalidated all his feelings and experiences.
I find it interesting that when I think of Texas State University, it hosts a healthy mix of liberal activity. Yet, sometimes I forget that Texas is one of the reddest states in the entire country, and one could infer that it was conservative back in the 60s/70s. While I am shocked of the actions of the university at the time expelling students & reducing the student's GPAs to Zero (which seems like insult to injury. This is a time when young people should feel empowered and university should be the place to host free & differing opinions and this whole act felt like a violation of free speech. I would like to think that today, the reaction & outcome would be a polar opposite from this one.
After watching the YouTube video, I think it's awesome that those 10 students stood their ground and advocated something they were passionate about even though they were expelled and their college career ceased to exist. I do believe that this school does not fully support their students in terms of making decisions that benefit students' rights and they don't have much interest in it. They are pretty lenient when it comes to people who come to campus to talk to students in the quad which is good and bad because it allows for outside forces to impose their issues on students on campus and it could also allow racist groups to freely talk about white supremacy or religious condemnation as well. After listening to the podcast, if that were to happen today, the ruling would not be as it was then – it would not be ruled that there was an interference of free flow of educational process even though the San Marcos 10 were peacefully protesting. Courts back then were very much against anything that could interfere with war effort, so they stopped many actions against it. Now that we are not in war, it is the most likely case that these cases would be dismissed in favor of the students under the protection of freedom of speech.
Angie S.
Online Class
Nowadays there's been a lot of issues going on throughout society. Sometime I believe that issues that were a problems back in the 1960's would disappear by now but they are still very true and very existent as seen with these videos and reports. I think it's sad what happened to these students, they work so hard in school and are trying to be heard but instead they are met with consequences. They were denied rights of free speech, and instead were ignored which is really frustrating to see especially as a student who feels that issues should be spoken about and brought to light.
Samantha W.
Online Class
I think this is a very significant part of Texas State's history and I had no idea about it. I personally find it very admirable that these 10 students stuck to their guns and continued to protest even after being threatened with academic disciplinary action. I don't know if that is something I would have been able to stick through. I do think that the school was wrong in expelling those students because they were using their first amendment right, the right to assemble. As reported, the students protesting were doing so peacefully and almost silently. So, for the admin to shut them down with force seems unconstitutional. Now during the NPR clip, they speak on the energy in the United States right now and a lot of people's feelings due to the (at the time) recent 9/11 attack. One of the speakers said that they could see something like what happened in 69 happen again because society doesn't like to hear things that are anti-war, which I completely agree with. I could even see something similar to that happening now, however, I think that students' rights are more likely to uphold now. If they weren't, it would probably be all over social media and cause a frenzy.
Shelby H. Online
I definitely feel like the ten students should not have suffered the consequences that they did. The students were excersing their rights and expressing their beliefs freely. While they were warned, they still had a right to protest. Now on Texas State's campus I feel as if students have far more rights than they did in 1969, but the first amendment was still the same in 1969 and their rights were most definitely infringed upon. Those students lost an education that they worked extremely hard for. I am very thankful for the San Marcos ten for standing up and risking their education and that it sparked a movement for others to do the same. Thankfully now, students are more able to express themselves with fewer consequences and we even have a specific spot of campus for free speech.
Alison S.
Online Class
The result of the 10 students isn't that surprising to me, considering the time and the fact that other places were having issues with students protesting the Vietnam War (Tinker v. Des Moines). It really shows just how much the world has changed since then, as now I believe Texas State wouldn't have the same reaction to a protest taking place on campus. I think it's great that these students stood their ground for what they believed in, even as the protest dropped from 100 to just 10. Them standing up to the university makes our ability to say whatever we want at the stallions in the quad just that much more impactful and special.
I genuinely feel bad for the students that not only got suspended for using their voice and speaking out, but how they diminished their GPA's and dropped it down to a 0. It's cruel for the school to have taken their hard work and grades and completely made it disappear. The whole ideal on how they handled the situation with the 10 was irresponsible and immature. The students have the right to protest, in which wasn't even violent. It only promotes that at the time, Southwest Texas wanted to censor any student who spoke out on controversial topics.
It's reassuring in the NPS podcast that the students lives weren't ruined, as some got heir degree and they continued with a successful career.
All in all, I hope Texas State never mistreat students for a peaceful protest.
Abigail Howeth
MC4301 - Online
After watching the video, I was honestly upset. The protest was simply the students expressing their concerns and feelings without violence. To think that this event led to them getting expelled, losing all college credit, and legal issues is appalling, however not very surprising considering the time. Many subjects were extremely tricky to voice opinions on—especially if it was not what other generations felt was the “norm.” The actions taken because of this protest by the school were direct violations of the students’ First Amendment rights. In the end, these students were silenced and faced enormous, undeserved consequences that affected them for the rest of their lives.
Andrew M
Online class
After listening to both of the interviews I feel saddened and angered at the way Texas State handled the protests. What makes it so difficult to condone is that the protest was peaceful, to begin with. Now looking back at the Vietnam war we can see why that war was so unjust and I feel for the students at the time trying to speak their message about the war. Now years later NPR sits down with 2 of the San Marcos 10 to ask them about their thoughts after one of the biggest devastation in current American history. It's hard to see how Texas State was just in their actions, not even letting them have college credit. That in my opinion is a very low thing to do for someone in a position of power. All in all, I'm glad people like the San Marcos 10 exist. People standing unapologetically for what they believe in, truly admirable.
Shawn Kizer MW
Listening to both interviews really puts into perspective how bad things used to be even here at Texas State. It seems like something out of a movie to see how the students were treated for doing what they thought was right. The use of power that the administrators used to punish the students was unjust. The students should have a statue for their courage to risk it all for the hopes of a brighter future.
Mario Argueta
Online Class
It’s very upsetting to hear Texas State University objective for diversity and inclusion wasn’t always since the beginning. After the video, I learned a peaceful protest turned into a nasty predicament for these college students. With GPA dropped to zero and other consequences, it’s hard to imagine a university felt the need to punish a liberty right. I’m very happy with how the stallions represent a symbol for free speech today in our student culture. Being punished for peacefully protesting always makes me upset and of course I’m devasted to hear about the San Marcos 10 since it happened at a school I chose because of the diversity.
I think Texas State has always been a free speech zone. And having shown in the past, many people voice their popular or unpopular opinions on campus. No matter what, a public university should always be an area where free speech is protected. Hearing about the students protesting the Vietnam war and being expelled because of it is something I could not imagine happening on campus today. It is crazy to think that something like this happened at one time and to think if this would happen again is insane. I hear a wide diversity of opinions on campus, some I agree with, and some I don't, but I feel it is most important to have the area of free speech protected no matter what.
The outcome of this protest has always been very confusing to me, especially now knowing about supreme court cases that ruled on similar situations. However, it isn't entirely surprising that something like this would happen in the Vietnam era. This was a pretty chaotic unrest period in American history, and bonkers events like this and Kent state were more common.
I believe the system evolves when it faces a stress test, but the injustices that occur as a result shouldn't be forgiven. To me, the San Marcos 10 incident was a clear violation of constitutional freedoms. It doesn't make sense to punish them for peaceful, lawful expression of ideas by damaging their record at the school. The results that a student gives in a classroom is an objective thing unrelated to the speech that they express in their day-to-day lives.
Oscar Hernandez
MW
After watching and listening to both reports I think it shows the growth Texas State has made from the past. It is upsetting that back then they could not practice a right they were born with. In my opinion, if the protest is under control and done the right way, I see no wrong. Like the San Marcos 10, I saw no wrong with them practicing their freedom of speech. The Dean had no right to expel the students with a 0.0 GPA and no credits earned. It is upsetting the way it was handled when I repeat it was a peaceful protest from the beginning. I have respect for the 10 that held their ground for what they thought was right, I hate how the situation was mistreated.
Jesse Westburg
MW
After viewing both links I found myself upset at Texas State's history of free speech. To have these brave students kicked out of college was far too great of a punishment. I could understand if the students had incited some kind of violence or disturbance. But they were protesting peacefully. It was absolutely unfair. I did however admire the San Marcos 10, and their devotion to a peaceful expression of their disapproval. It seems that they were given an unfair ruling in court, but as they said, they knew there would be consequences, which makes their act all the more respectable.
After watching the piece by the University Star and listening to the interview by NPR, I was shocked and disappointed in how the university handled this situation. Bill Cunningham, a manager editor at the University Star at the time, said something that really stood out to me. He mentioned that "the only people breaking the law on that day were the administrators of Southwest Texas" by suppressing the students' first amendment right to free speech. I found it even more disappointing when the response to Cunningham's article was to fire him. In my opinion, this was just another instance of denying freedom of speech, or in this case, freedom of the press.
After reviewing all of the information, I reacted much like everyone else on this thread: absolutely appalled at the situation and Texas State's actions. The students were protesting peacefully and did not deserve to have their GPA — that they worked so hard for — shattered in such a manner.
It is interesting to note how protesting at Texas State has progressed — the San Marcos 10's constitutional rights were violated, and I do wonder how such a protest would fold out in this day and age. We have had many protests on campus, especially as of late, and students have had to beg for their voices to be heard across campus. Although different time periods, reading of these peaceful protests turned sour reminds me much of the recent events on campus — The March on Clegg (Feb. 2018) and the Student Sit-in (April 2018) to name a couple. Quite an interesting and disheartening read to see how the university acted during that time period.
MC4301 MW
After watching the video it left a really unsettling feeling in my stomach. The protest was of students expressing what they felt without violence, and for the students to get expelled is just not right. I don't think students should get expelled for voicing their concerns, and obviously, if the university felt so offended about a nonviolent protest then they need to change their ways. But considering the time I see why because some subjects were tricky to voice opinions on. The actions that were taken upon the students are a violation of the student's first amendment. In the end, I did not agree that they silenced the students and also faced consequences. Just because someone does not simply agree with one's opinions doesn't mean such extreme actions have to take place.
After reading the article about the San Marcos 10 (plus a few more for another class), I think it is absolutely insane what happened to them. College campuses should be a beacon and home for free speech and educational discussion/debate, and students voicing a controversial opinion and losing credit for it..is just crazy. I think what happened goes to show why the first ammendment and protecting it is so important; legitamately bad things can happen to people when that freedom is taken away. While being anti-war is a much more popular and accepted viewpoint now, it was the extreme miniority at the time from what my grandpa who served has told me; and I believe this is important to note because it proves that their opinions were indeed controversial. Despite their opinions being controversial, I think we would all agree that their punishment was unfair. My point is that even the most controversial opinions should be protected, as restricting the first ammendment truly is a slippery slope.
Alondra H.
online
After watching the video and reading about the San Marcos 10 I was shocked and angry. The way faculty handled this was harsh and unconstitutional. These students were punished by expressing their opinion with a peaceful protest. Apart from being expelled and suspended from the university, they all got their GPAs dropped to zero. Students were using their first amendment right to protest at a public university where no violence was ever-present. In this case, the students were informed of consequences but continued to protest which shows how courageous and admirable they are. In this case, the students were informed of consequences but continued to protest which shows how courageous and admirable they are.
It is surprising to me because I thought the point of the first amendment was if they weren’t causing any disruption than they were protected. I know in the second clip it said that the judge says the “noise” around it was causing disruption however I think would take away the point of the stallion allowing free speech. It didn’t jeopardize the war to my knowledge. I personally hadn’t heard of this situation until the blogpost but it was very unfortunate that they were ex spelled and all their credits and GPA just wiped.
Jose H Online class
After watching the video and hearing the article I was pretty confused and angry that they were expelled and lost all college credit. Im a veteran and I fought for people to have the right to speak up and feel however they want to. The vietnam war was controversal but every war is going to be controversal. People arent always going to agree with the government decision if we truly are a democracy then we need to be allow to peacefully protest without the fear of being punish. The first amendment should have been upheld in that situation.
Reed Hartle
Online Class
After watching the "Free Speech at Texas State University", and listening to the NPR report broadcast from OCT. 23, 2001, it was very hard to digest. When I say that, I'm referring to the fact that it's unspeakable what these students had to go through. I'm surprised that I had never heard of the San Marcos 10, especially given the severity of this event. The school should not have been allowed to silence the voices of these students. Freedom of speech is an important right that should be distributed equally among adults and students alike. The students went about the protest in the right way as well, they were peaceful and yet were still treated so poorly.
After listenngto both videos, I am surprised of the consequences that the San Marcos 10 had received. There was nothing wrong with protesting against something the students did not believe in. It was a silent and peaceful protest so the students were simply exercising their First Amendment rights. Texas State should not have kicked the students out and dropped their GPA's to a zero. College is a hard task to complete and having all the work thrown away for protesting is wrong. I can't believe even the judge dismissed the case and upheld the expulsions. I am happy Texas State is more accepting towards the First Amendment.
After viewing the provided material about the San Marcos 10 I was upset and shocked. These students were penalized heavily for voicing their opinions on the matter, which is completely absurd. Removing these students hard earned college credits is ridiculous. It is extremely upsetting to know that these students were punished and criticized for standing up for what they believe in, and also that this happened at the university that I attend. Their punishment was extremely harsh for an act of exercising their freedom of speech. These students, just as we have, worked so so hard to gain the credits that were ripped away from them.
Throughout the United State's history, it is clear that many drastic changes have taken place regarding students' free speech and expression. It does baffle me that the students at Texas State University who participated were expelled, especially since they were partaking in a silent, peaceful protest. I am also surprised that the students didn't challenge the ruling more since it was a clear violation of their rights. Since we now live in the ear of online news and social media, if one of the students had posted something online, there would have been a significant backlash. I believe that if individuals do not engage and violence and take the proper actions to speak out about issues, then they not only have the right to be heard but should be free to voice their opinion. I also see no issue with the editorial that was published by the staff member because it did not tell anyone to commit a violent act, was an opinion piece and was over an issue that affected everyone.
I was not surprised that the protests were treated in this intense fashion back in 1969. It's awful the students were suspended, but it's extremely inspiring they pushed hard for what they believed in. I'm glad that protests have been more welcomed in the present day, but there will still be situations where protesters have to stand in front of higher authorities to express what they believe is right. For example, look a the 'Unite the Right' rally that happened in Charlottesville, Virginia, back in 2017. Far-right groups came to stand up for Confederate heritage while spewing racist ideology, and counter-protesters came to run them out of town. The far-right groups were protected by police as counter-protesters had basically no protection, besides being there for each other. We as people just need to continue to go out in the streets and stand up for what's right, even if we don't have our bodies or rights protected.
I am shocked at the repercussions that the San Marcos 10 faced for their rightful protest. TXST went against their rights and their college hours were completely taken away and expelled. Txst handled this very poorly even though the times were different the voice of those that go against the government and their actions should not be silenced due to the attention it may bring.
Grace Adams
4301 Online class
After watching the video and seeing the repercussions that were made I feel as if these students did not deserve what came to them. As we’ve learned we have a right to free speech and expression, and even the right to protest. I feel as if the consequences that were made affecting their education, through their GPA, being expelled and the fact that this blew up as big as it did has made a life lasting effect on these students. Throughout this ordeal I feel as if students’ rights have been called to attention more and has even made other students stand up for themselves as well and fight for their education. That’s why I felt like these students didn’t deserve what happened to them. In our new day and norm it’s encouraged to speak up for yourself, for your education, for your classmate, and protesting isn’t unusual to see now.
After listening to the video, I was shocked and had mix feelings about the outcome of the protests. I think the admissions treated the students wrongfully. The students were just participating in a protest while using their First Amendment right to speak out and to speak freely.It was very messed up to the ten students whose GPA went to a zero. As a student, I know the struggles of getting to where you want to be at in your GPA. My heart ached for those student and I think the punishment to the ten students was harsh. In the end, I am glad that the students who were kicked out and GPAS dropped were eventually able to get their degree and education while continuing to stand up and speak freely for what they believed in.
Federico Villarreal
MW 3:30
After listening to the video, i feel the students did not deserve the harsh punishments they received. I was surprised of the consequences that the students had received, I believe there is nothing wrong with protesting against something you do not believe in. I also find it dissapointing that our first amendment rights can be altered as a student. I think that these students had their first amendment rights revoked and I don't think it is acceptable for Texas State to alter GPA's and graduation. Overall i believe it was handled very poorly and believe what the university did was wrong.
Wenjing Zhong
MW3:30
After checked out the brief video by The University star as well as listened to the NPR report broadcast. I felt bad for those students. The punishment seems to be very unfair to reduce their GPA to zero just because they are advocating the opinions that against school. According to the first amendment, all people should have the freedom of speech. I think students should have the rights to protest as soon as they didn't cause any harm.
Megan H.
MW Class
After watching the University Star video and listening to the NPR interviews I am honestly shocked by the reaction and punishment that the students received from the university and public. The students were peacefully protesting and received drastic consequences in the end. Texas State would thankfully never would never be able to do that today. Another thing that bothered me was the fact that the manager editor got fired for simply writing the truth. Overall the whole situation was blown out of proportion.
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