Students entered the campus discussion on politics and free speech last week by posting flyers on several campus bulletin boards, prompting questions on student political expression and appropriate venues of expression.

The flyers, posted to bulletin boards in at least Marano Campus Center, Shineman Center and Rich Hall, depict the Kool-Aid Man bursting through a brick wall with a speech bubble exclaiming “OH YEAH!!!.” The image was accompanied by a quote from 19th-century poet and revolutionary, Eugene Pottier.

“Let no one build walls to divide us, walls of hatred or walls of stone,” the flyer quoted. 

The words come from Pottier’s, “The Internationale,” an anthem associated with the socialist movement from 1864.

“Resist racism. Resist xenophobia. Resist division: a message from students against bigotry,” the flyer said.

Students Against Bigotry is not an official student organization at this time.

“We wanted it to be eye-catching, right off the bat,” said Max Mozes, a senior cognitive sciences major at Oswego State. “We do have a serious message. We know that the border wall is not for security because everyone that is an actual authority agrees that this is not effective.”

Mozes said the flyers were a response to the tabling effort by the Young Americans for Freedom club on Feb. 12.

“I actually had a conversation with one of those guys recently,” Mozes said. “I don’t think I was going to change his mind.”

Instead, Mozes said speaking on behalf of the group of students who posted the flyers, was meant to reach out to people who have not decided their stance on the issue.

“We’re aiming more at people that are on the fence, that could go either way,” Mozes said. “We want to show them that there is some opposition.”

Mozes said he hopes to continue discussions on campus and perhaps have a debate on the topic.

Tyler Toomey, president of YAF and a junior in the business administration program at Oswego State, said he welcomes student discussion on campus.

“I think it’s great that students are getting more politically involved as time passes,” Toomey said. “I think the 2016 election really brought that out. I think that’s great.”

Toomey said he is glad to see the growth of political clubs on campus.

“I hope students that aren’t even in a club for [politics] are comfortable if they want to post flyers, if they want to have discussions, I hope they do that,” Toomey said.

According to the Oswego State student handbook, most of campus policy concerning bulletin boards focus on recognized student organizations posting promotional flyers for events and activities. There are policies for which flyers and purposes qualify for a protected place on campus bulletin boards.

“In a very strict interpretation of our student handbook, [the flyer] does not qualify,” said Barbara St. Michel, associate director of Campus Life. “It does not indicate the source.”

Student organizations have been allowed to voice their opinions, when the flyers are sponsored by a particular organization, St. Michel said.

The office of Campus Life will need to address how students can express themselves on campus bulletin boards soon, St. Michel said.

“I think we’re entering a new era in expression,” St Michel said. “Do we need to review what’s in the code of conduct? And if our code [of conduct] of is not in sync with the realites of today, does it need to be rewritten?”

Both Toomey and Mozes agree the flyers have a place in campus discussion and civil discourse.

“It’s a pretty good way to get your word out pretty quick and all over the place,” Mozes said.

Campus policy focuses on prioritizing student organizations to promote their events, while still allowing individuals some degree of promoting services like tutoring without plastering school surfaces with outside advertisements.

“I think postering is smart,” Toomey said. “Our campus is bad at allowing it. Obviously having posters anywhere and everywhere is a bad idea, but I think there needs to be some kind of better medium.”

Mozes said he has noticed students talking about the flyers.

“I’ve definitely heard a lot of people mention it,” Mozes said. “Even if they just say, ‘Oh yeah!,’ that is enough of a reference to know that they’ve seen this poster.”

Kassadee Paulo | The Oswegonian