In an effort to force a private fraternity to seek official recognition, Wesleyan University has prohibited all students from "participating in social activities" on the property of any unrecognized private association. The policy is scheduled to go into effect in August 2011, and states that Wesleyan students are "prohibited from using houses or property owned, leased or operated by private societies that are not recognized by the University." FIRE has written Wesleyan President Michael S. Roth advising him that this new policy violates Wesleyan's moral and legal obligation to its students dating back to 1969, namely its promise that "As citizens, students should enjoy the same freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and the right of petition that other citizens enjoy ... both on and off campus." The new policy effectively bans students from participating in social activities on a vast amount of off-campus property including houses of worship, the Middletown Elks Lodge, the Italian Society of Middletown, and a wide variety of private societies throughout Connecticut. 

Learn more about FIRE's case at Wesleyan here>>

Write to President Roth and urge him to respect student rights at Wesleyan University today!