WSU president expects free speech to take center stage at university

Race on campus will continue to be a hot topic and likely a frequent issue at Washington State University during the 2017-18 academic year, WSU President Kirk Schulz said Monday.

"We're in for a year of demonstrations, of protests," Schulz said. "We have to make sure people can express their viewpoints."

In that, Schulz said the university won't be alone.

"I believe we are a microcosm of the country as a whole," he said.

Schulz said one of the most challenging types of situations he's come face-to-face with during his first year at WSU is connected with students and others calling upon him to condemn certain events on campus as hate speech.

"The president does not get to say what is hate speech or not," Schulz said. "I may want that but I can't have it."

Schulz said the university is working toward increased acceptance and welcoming attitudes on campus through the appointment of an external review board, alignment of campus diversity offices, new committees and the formation of an associate vice president position that will deal with "campus culture and climate activities."

The actions were recommended by a committee formed after a racist video created from raw footage taken by former WSU College Republicans President James Allsup made its way around campus and the internet the week before graduation.

The video, which included racially charged subtitles, mock-tribal dancing and showed a child using a racial slur, was decried by Schulz.

Backlash connected to the video, as well as Allsup's presence at the Charlottesville rally on Aug. 12 and his recent resignation from the club, continues to inspire unrest on the Pullman campus.

Schulz said he applauded students who took part in Saturday's march against white supremacy, but he added he is unable to stop students with different beliefs from stating them, even when many find the sentiments abhorrent.

"Freedom of speech is an important attribute of a university," he said.

WSU draws the line at hate speech, legally defined as speech with no purpose than to express hatred against a group of people defined in terms of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation and other attributes. Hate speech is also likely to incite violence.

Defining it is the responsibility of university attorneys, he said.

Schulz said he has had a number of conversations about racial issues on campus and expects to have many more.

"We're working extremely hard at WSU to improve," he said. "It takes time to change our culture."

Shanon Quinn can be reached at (208) 883-4636, or by email to squinn@dnews.com.