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We, the undersigned, urge the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to eliminate restrictive free speech zones and abolish mandatory meal plans. These policies limit fundamental student rights and place financial burdens on students, creating unnecessary obstacles in their educational journey. Free speech is a constitutional right that should be fully supported across campus, yet USM currently restricts free expression to designated “free speech zones.” Limiting expressive activities to these confined areas stifles open dialogue and contradicts the university’s mission of fostering a diverse, vibrant academic community. Free speech zones send the message that free expression is a privilege, not a right, effectively curtailing students’ ability to openly engage with ideas.
Restricting speech to small zones is an outdated approach that limits both individual rights and the campus’s intellectual freedom. Students deserve the ability to express themselves freely in all public areas on campus, just as they would in any other public space. We urge the administration to eliminate these zones and ensure that the entire campus is open to free expression, aligning USM with First Amendment principles. USM also requires all students living on campus to purchase a meal plan, imposing a mandatory fee that adds significantly to their overall financial burden. For students who may not fully utilize these plans due to dietary restrictions, personal meal preferences, or budget constraints, mandatory meal plans create an additional financial strain that can feel more like an imposed debt than a service.
Allowing students the choice to opt out of meal plans would give them the flexibility to manage their finances and dietary needs more effectively. For many, mandatory meal plans add to student debt and detract from the university’s goal of making education financially accessible. Giving students the right to choose how they spend their money on food is a simple way to alleviate financial stress and empower them to make decisions best suited to their individual needs. These policies—restrictive free speech zones and mandatory meal plans—do not serve the best interests of USM students. By addressing these issues, the university has an opportunity to show a true commitment to student rights and financial well-being. We call on President Joe Paul to take immediate action to eliminate free speech zones, allowing free expression across the entire campus and respecting students’ First Amendment rights, and to abolish mandatory meal plans, enabling students to opt out and giving them the freedom to manage their own dietary and financial needs.
By making these changes, USM will empower its students to take charge of their rights and resources, affirming the university’s commitment to an open, accessible, and supportive learning environment for all. This is about supporting students, honoring their rights, and ensuring that every member of the USM community has the freedom to speak and make choices that reflect their own needs.
**Petition to Abolish Free Speech Zones and Mandatory Meal Plans at the University of Southern Mississippi** We, the undersigned, urge the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to eliminate restrictive free speech zones and abolish mandatory meal plans. These policies limit fundamental student rights and place financial burdens on students, creating unnecessary obstacles in their educational journey. Free speech is a constitutional right that should be fully supported across campus, yet USM currently restricts free expression to designated “free speech zones.” Limiting expressive activities to these confined areas stifles open dialogue and contradicts the university’s mission of fostering a diverse, vibrant academic community. Free speech zones send the message that free expression is a privilege, not a right, effectively curtailing students' ability to openly engage with ideas. Restricting speech to small zones is an outdated approach that limits both individual rights and the campus’s intellectual freedom. Students deserve the ability to express themselves freely in all public areas on campus, just as they would in any other public space. We urge the administration to eliminate these zones and ensure that the entire campus is open to free expression, aligning USM with First Amendment principles. USM also requires all students living on campus to purchase a meal plan, imposing a mandatory fee that adds significantly to their overall financial burden. For students who may not fully utilize these plans due to dietary restrictions, personal meal preferences, or budget constraints, mandatory meal plans create an additional financial strain that can feel more like an imposed debt than a service. Allowing students the choice to opt out of meal plans would give them the flexibility to manage their finances and dietary needs more effectively. For many, mandatory meal plans add to student debt and detract from the university’s goal of making education financially accessible. Giving students the right to choose how they spend their money on food is a simple way to alleviate financial stress and empower them to make decisions best suited to their individual needs. These policies—restrictive free speech zones and mandatory meal plans—do not serve the best interests of USM students. By addressing these issues, the university has an opportunity to show a true commitment to student rights and financial well-being. We call on President Joe Paul to take immediate action to eliminate free speech zones, allowing free expression across the entire campus and respecting students' First Amendment rights, and to abolish mandatory meal plans, enabling students to opt out and giving them the freedom to manage their own dietary and financial needs. By making these changes, USM will empower its students to take charge of their rights and resources, affirming the university’s commitment to an open, accessible, and supportive learning environment for all. This is about supporting students, honoring their rights, and ensuring that every member of the USM community has the freedom to speak and make choices that reflect their own needs.