Don't critize Syracuse U or else....

Syracuse University recently punished several students for publishing material on a Web site criticizing an instructor, according to an article by the Student Press Law Center. The material was published on Facebook.com, a online site that allows student to share information with students from other institutions.

I find this troubling that a university that receives so much of our tax dollars is punishing students for their opinions. In the 2005 fiscal year, the university was award $58 million for research and teaching programs including $46.2 million from the federal government and $8.2 million from New York state, according to their Web site.

Although I believe the student's comments were disgusting, they should have the right to voice them.

If the words that come out of University of Colorado Professor Ward Churchill's mouth are not censored then why should a few students who have negative opinions about their professor be punished.

If you feel the urge to comment on the matter, I'm sure Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor would love to hear from you. After all, they value free speech. Her email address is ncantor@syu.edu and her phone number is 315-443-2235.