The Crimson

The only student-run newspaper at Florida Tech.

You are here: Home / Archives for free speech

free speech

NPR Science Correspondent Joe Palca Headlines Florida Tech Free Speech Week

by 1 Comment

Free Speech Week begins Feb. 15.

10th Annual Event Held Virtually This Year

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Joe Palca, a science correspondent for National Public Radio who most recently covered the COVID-19 vaccine approvals, will deliver the keynote address on Wednesday, Feb. 17, during the 10th annual Free Speech Week hosted by Florida Tech’s student-run newspaper, The Crimson.

Free Speech Week features lectures and discussions on the First Amendment and the value of journalism. In light of the global pandemic, the focus this year is on the value of quality science journalism.

Scaled back to include only virtual events, Free Speech Week will feature Palca’s talk via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 and a science journalism panel via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Palca is an award-winning journalist who brings a scientific approach to his craft, having earned a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He’s been with NPR since 1992 and has also served as a print journalist, first as the Washington news editor for Nature, and then as a senior correspondent for Science Magazine.

In 2019, Palca was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in journalism.

The science journalism panel will be moderated by Dzmitry Yuran, an assistant professor of  journalism at Florida Tech, and will feature James Brenner, associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, Florida Today environmental reporter Jim Waymer and Adam Lowenstein, director of media communications at Florida Tech.

Both events are free and open to the public and can be accessed using the following Zoom link: https://fit.zoom.us/j/98843789356 

“Considering how 2020 was filled with important science news—pandemics and vaccines, climate change-influenced wildfires and hurricanes, and ongoing challenges to the Indian River Lagoon—clear, accurate and ethical journalism about science is as important as ever,” said Ted Petersen, an associate professor of journalism at Florida Tech and adviser to The Crimson.

For more information, contact Petersen at 321-674-7201 or email tpetersen@fit.edu.

Zoom link for Free Speech Week: https://fit.zoom.us/j/98843789356 

Florida Tech celebrates first amendment rights

by Leave a Comment

By Tessa Dury

Florida Tech students were enticed by one particular thing this week to exercise their first amendment right of free speech; cookies. 

The first of many events for the week began with censorship-free writing upon the blank canvas walls outside the Student Union Building on Monday, Feb. 17. 

Students were encouraged to write whatever they wanted on the free speech walls.  In exchange for exercising their First Amendment right, they were granted a cookie. “I came for the free cookies,” said Brian Dixon, a junior majoring in meteorology. “But seeing some of the things on here, it brings awareness to certain problems,” Dixon said.  “You see what people are upset about and it drives you to do more in community outreach.”

Ella Filippelli writes on one of the free speech walls in Evans library. Photo// Tessa Dury

Many students wrote on the walls and a variety of topics were covered. Some students wrote inspirational quotes such as ‘it’s okay to not be okay,’ and ‘Veni, Vidi, Vici,’ which is Latin and translates to ‘I came, I saw, I conquered.’ 

Other students wrote jokes on the walls while some commented on current social and political issues, Bible verses, tributes to Kobe Bryant and personal music preferences. 

The free speech walls also became a way for students to have anonymous hand-written debates next to comments they agreed or disagreed with. Students wrote on differing opinions on climate change, the Clery Act and presidential candidates.

“People shouldn’t be censored on what they say by an official authority,” Ella Filippelli, a junior majoring in STEM education and biomathematics said. “That doesn’t mean you say whatever, but you shouldn’t live in fear that you’ll be in danger for your opinion.”

Filippelli said that students have the right to speak out and express their opinions, even in cases when it may be morally ambiguous. 

After the Monday event of “free speech, free cookies,” the walls were placed in Evans library, allowing more students to continue to exercise their first amendment right throughout the remainder of the week.  

Camila Alvarado, a junior majoring in chemical engineering and nanotechnology, has a positive outlook on the more controversial discussions written on the boards.

 “It’s free speech, there will be no judgment,” Alvarado said.  “It may be better for people to show their emotions and opinions in this way, then getting the emotions out in a bad or violent way.” 

Free speech is a right that is guaranteed in the United States every day under the Constitution. As part of the first amendment, “we the people” have the right to own our voices. 

Crime log activism for free speech week

by 1 Comment

In January, Florida Tech security restricted access to crime logs, interpreting the federal law in the narrowest possible way. Instead of emailing crime logs, or even posting them online like Rollins College, you can now only access the crime logs in the security office, under supervision. The records will not be emailed, and you are not allowed to take photos. 

What can you do to remind the security department that these are YOUR records? What can you do to make it easier for the Crimson to report on campus crime? 

Step 1: Visit the security office (located on the south side of Shaw Hall – Building 114) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and ask to view the Clery Act crime logs.

  • You don’t need to tell them who you are or why you want to see the crime logs. You can if you want. 
  • If they don’t allow you to visit or ask you to return, tell us.

Step 2 (optional): Ask if you can take a photo of the crime logs. 

  • If they say no, ask why. 

Step 3 (optional): Ask if they will email you a copy of the crime logs. 

  • If they say no, ask why. 

Step 4 (optional): Ask why they don’t make these more available online, like many other schools do. 

Remember, these are YOUR records and you have a right to view them. Tell us how it goes via email (crimson@fit.edu) or DM us on our Instagram page @ftcrimson