Alabama vs. LSU vs. 1st Amendment

U of Alabama Student Government Association, apparently for not by the students, apparently decided that Saturday's football game with President Trump possibly in attendance was not the time for protest.

First, according to AL.COM ...

Leada Gore, AL.COM
Jason Rothfarb, vice president of Student Affairs, said additional security will be in Bryant Denny’s student section during the Saturday afternoon football game. President Trump is expected to be in the audience. Disruptive activities will have consequences, Rothfarb wrote.
“Any organizations that engage in disruptive behavior during the game will be removed from block seating instantly for the remainder of the season,” he wrote. [That is, may lose their season ticket seating.]
Copies of the letter were posted to social media.

The story was published. Someone in their version of Day Hall realized the First Amendment in a public stadium even covers Alabama, especially once the press gets wind of it. The story was updated, and then later the update was posted at the top of the story, probably after the Crimson Tide rolled over the local paper:

AL.COM
Jason Rothfarb, vice president for Student Affairs for University of Alabama SGA, issued a follow-up statement regarding his previous email related to disruptions during the Alabama/LSU football game. The email was published via social media:
“Some have misinterpreted my comment regarding “disruptive behavior.” As with other games this season, Organization’s Block Seating locations will be clearly marked, but at certain times, other students can and should have access to open seats. By disruptive behavior, we are asking students to be respectful to all students and staff and avoid altercations. My email has nothing do with anyone’s First Amendment rights and I am sorry for any confusion. Please express yourself and especially your pride for the Tide.”
Rothbarb’s comments come after a letter was sent to block seat groups warning that “Any organizations that engage in disruptive behavior during the game will be removed from block seating instantly for the remainder of the season.”
The cautionary note was sent just days before President Trump’s expected appearance at Bryant Denny Stadium.
In a separate statement, Jackson Fuentes, SGA Press Secretary, said "The SGA strongly affirms its belief in free speech and the rights of all students to express their opinions. Today’s report erroneously assigned a political context to a message meant only to remind students about heightened security and the consequences of altercations or other behaviors unbecoming of a University of Alabama student, as defined in the Capstone Creed. [Unless Capstone is a local craft beer-Ed]
“We look forward to cheering on the Crimson Tide, alongside the student body, on Saturday afternoon.”

Is there any university administration where self-important twits don't go overboard, backpedal, and then CYA and blame the media for an allegedlyy erroneous report?

Also, because of security issues, students were told to show up at 12:30 for entry through security portals for a 2:30 game. By that time, they'll a) be sober and b) have to pee something fierce if it was beer.

billhoward
Is there any university administration where self-important twits don't go overboard, backpedal, and then CYA and blame the media for an allegedly erroneous report?

Cornell's just leaves out everything after going overboard. They're lawyered-up from the get go, and they make sure the media never hears about it.

Isn't Cornell in a different legal situation because it's a private entity? (Or to the statutory colleges make it an arm of the government as well?)

Cornell is bound to abide by many, many federal standards and rules because it has statutory colleges but also because it receives federal funds directly and students receive federal grant money. Only a handful of colleges take no federal money, such as Grove City (PA), the nearest one; there are about 15 in all that do this to (their words) "preserve their freedom and independence."

Cornell still was able to order Fox News off campus when Fox was filming a piece on how Cornell has such quote liberal professors. Fox moved its cameras to Collegetown, put Cornell's campus in the background, did the story regardless, and Cornell's marketing / communications team looked like small town rubes who couldn't think one chess move ahead. Cornell also ducked the absolute-honesty defense: Yes, our professors are liberal, it's not uncommon in academia, and students still seem able to make up their own minds on issues.

Cornell would be unable to stop students from protesting President Trump were he come to a Cornell football game, other than if they disrupted the game, same as if they disrupted a talk by a non-centrist speaker in an academic building. It certainly would spike attendance at football.

Cornell has leeway to bar non-students from campus and Cornell asks (tells) media to check in if they come to campus to do a story. It's pretty clear cut. Cornell tells the media, "Cornell University welcomes news media to its campus as part of its mission to share research and expertise with the world. Cornell is, however, a private university, and neither the public nor members of the media have a right to unrestricted access to Cornell faculty, students, staff or properties. The Cornell University Media Relations Office is available to assist media members seeking access to campus. Before arriving, members of the media must contact the Media Relations Office regarding the details of the visit and acknowledge acceptance of the policies outlined below. ... Cornell University is private property. Members of the media planning to conduct interviews, capture images or record audio on campus must request permission from our Media Relations Office before arriving at the university. Journalists who have not obtained permission from the Media Relations Office to work on campus may be asked to leave university property." [news.cornell.edu]

When I've reached out to Cornell on stories I've done, Cornell is very helpful because they recognize a story on Cornell's research or technical leadership is probably going to turn out positively. If you're a non-urban university, you crave the attention of the media. Most of the time.

Cornell is bound to abide by many, many federal standards and rules because it has statutory colleges but also because it receives federal funds directly and students receive federal grant money. Only a handful of colleges take no federal money, such as Grove City (PA), the nearest one; there are about 15 in all that do this to (their words) "preserve their freedom and independence."

Cornell still was able to order Fox News off campus when Fox was filming a piece on how Cornell has such quote liberal professors. Fox moved its cameras to Collegetown, put Cornell's campus in the background, did the story regardless, and Cornell's marketing / communications team looked like small town rubes who couldn't think one chess move ahead. Cornell also ducked the absolute-honesty defense: Yes, our professors are liberal, it's not uncommon in academia, and students still seem able to make up their own minds on issues.

Cornell would be unable to stop students from protesting President Trump were he come to a Cornell football game, other than if they disrupted the game, same as if they disrupted a talk by a non-centrist speaker in an academic building. It certainly would spike attendance at football.

Cornell has leeway to bar non-students from campus and Cornell asks (tells) media to check in if they come to campus to do a story. It's pretty clear cut. Cornell tells the media, "Cornell University welcomes news media to its campus as part of its mission to share research and expertise with the world. Cornell is, however, a private university, and neither the public nor members of the media have a right to unrestricted access to Cornell faculty, students, staff or properties. The Cornell University Media Relations Office is available to assist media members seeking access to campus. Before arriving, members of the media must contact the Media Relations Office regarding the details of the visit and acknowledge acceptance of the policies outlined below. ... Cornell University is private property. Members of the media planning to conduct interviews, capture images or record audio on campus must request permission from our Media Relations Office before arriving at the university. Journalists who have not obtained permission from the Media Relations Office to work on campus may be asked to leave university property." [news.cornell.edu]

When I've reached out to Cornell on stories I've done, Cornell is very helpful because they recognize a story on Cornell's research or technical leadership is probably going to turn out positively. If you're a non-urban university, you crave the attention of the media. Most of the time.

billhoward
When I've reached out to Cornell on stories I've done, Cornell is very helpful because they recognize a story on Cornell's research or technical leadership is probably going to turn out positively.

a.k.a., "access journalism."

Trotsky

billhoward
When I've reached out to Cornell on stories I've done, Cornell is very helpful because they recognize a story on Cornell's research or technical leadership is probably going to turn out positively.

a.k.a., "access journalism."

One tries to avoid Access Hollywood journalism.