We, the undersigned, urge President Phil Sisson and Middlesex Community College to abolish the “Unauthorized Recording and Dissemination” policy. This overreaching policy infringes on students’ First Amendment rights by restricting their ability to document public and administrative actions, which are essential for transparency and accountability.
The vague language opens the door to misuse, suppressing free expression and imposing Orwellian controls reminiscent of the Patriot Act’s surveillance overreach. Furthermore, Massachusetts state laws already prohibit recording in places with an expectation of privacy, such as locker rooms and restrooms, making this policy redundant and unnecessary. Its enforcement risks silencing students and shielding the administration from scrutiny.
We call on President Sisson to immediately abolish this unconstitutional policy, restore transparency, and protect civil liberties at Middlesex Community College.
We, the undersigned, urge President Phil Sisson and Middlesex Community College to abolish the "Unauthorized Recording and Dissemination" policy. This overreaching policy infringes on students' First Amendment rights by restricting their ability to document public and administrative actions, which are essential for transparency and accountability. The vague language opens the door to misuse, suppressing free expression and imposing Orwellian controls reminiscent of the Patriot Act's surveillance overreach. Furthermore, Massachusetts state laws already prohibit recording in places with an expectation of privacy, such as locker rooms and restrooms, making this policy redundant and unnecessary. Its enforcement risks silencing students and shielding the administration from scrutiny. We call on President Sisson to immediately abolish this unconstitutional policy, restore transparency, and protect civil liberties at Middlesex Community College.