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CMA censures Oklahoma Baptist University after adviser contract not renewed
University maintains action was not censorship
© 2006 Student Press Law Center
October 5, 2006
CMA began its investigation after
the university decided not to renew Philip Todd’s contract in the spring
of 2005. Todd had worked with the student newspaper, The Bison, for four
years starting in 2000. A year after his hiring, the college president began
asking Todd to edit every issue of the newspaper, the association said.
According to CMA President Lance Speere, the group found that Todd was brought
into the job with the understanding that the position did not entail prior
review.
In its censure, CMA also said that the university’s student
handbook and The Bison’s policy manual ensured students’
freedom to make content decisions. CMA’s investigation found that
administrators tried to change Todd’s job description to require prior
review but were rejected by the dean and publications committee. Kathy Lawrence,
immediate past president of the CMA, said Todd never complied with any of the
requests.
“At this point, we tried to talk to the university and
this censure was a last resort,” Speere said. “We’ve reached
the end of trying to do anything else with them and now it’s in their
court, but the censure will remain in place until they demonstrate that the
students’ First Amendment rights are being upheld
there.”
Marty O’Gywnn, associate vice president for
university communications, said the university maintains its position that
Todd’s case was a non-renewal of a contract rather than a dismissal.
“Our position is that the rationale CMA used to censure the university
is unfounded,” O’Gwynn said.
By Marnette Federis, SPLC staff writer
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For More Information:
Read CMA's censure of Oklahoma Baptist
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