Michael Gardner's Email to Richie Hunter

by Michael Gardner '17, '18G

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From: Michael Gardner
To: Richie Hunter
Date: March 7, 2018, 6:06 PM
Subject: Quote from The Washington Free Beacon

Mrs. Hunter,

I just read The Washington Free Beacon article published earlier today where you were quoted saying, “students are allowed to distribute materials on campus with prior authorization,” but that Narayan and I had failed to do so.

Upon searching for such a policy, I was unable to locate it; however, I have located several clauses of the Student Bill of Rights which appear to directly contradict your claim, including, but not limited to: “the Institute shall not impede or obstruct students in the exercise of their fundamental rights as citizens” and “students and student groups shall be free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately.”

Would you please direct me to the policy requiring prior authorization to distribute materials on campus?

If you are unable to provide me with the text of said policy, I would still be interested in understanding the reasoning behind your statement to The Washington Free Beacon.

Thank you,
Michael Gardner

From: Richie Hunter
To: Michael Gardner
Date: March 8, 2018, 9:56 AM
Subject: RE: Quote from The Washington Free Beacon Article

Dear Mr. Gardner -

Please review the Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Pg. 34):
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USE OF INSTITUTE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
Individual students or groups of students who wish to reserve buildings, classrooms, or outdoor facilities at Rensselaer should consult with the Facilities Coordinator or the Scheduler (Registrar's Office) who is responsible for referring such requests to the appropriate departments. Students should also be familiar with the “Rensselaer Guide for Events, Rooms, and Services (RoGERS) and the rooms and spaces that may be requested through the RoGERS webpage http://mms.rpi.edu/RoGERS. Sponsoring groups or individuals are responsible for reasonable control and care of participants, spectators, and property during events under their sponsorship.
...........................
Activities which groups wish to promote a cause, event, etc. must work either through the Union, Dean of Students Office, or the appropriate location supervisor to receive permission.

Richie C. Hunter

From: Michael Gardner
To: Richie Hunter
Date: March 8, 2018, 2:12 PM
Subject: RE: Quote from The Washington Free Beacon Article

Mrs. Hunter,

Thank you for your prompt response.

Your quote in The Washington Free Beacon article was with regards to the distribution of materials, not the reservation of facilities on campus, as the policy to which you referred in your email is intended.

The RoGERS webpage does not offer sidewalks in its list of facilities students may reserve. Are you suggesting that RPI has jurisdiction over public sidewalks? To address an unanswered query posed by the The Washington Free Beacon, how would “eminent domain” explain said jurisdiction?

Finally, are you claiming prior authorization is required before distributing all materials, or only materials critical of RPI’s governance? I, along with my peers, regularly distribute materials including study guides, practice exams, resumes, business cards, etc. and want to ensure I am complying with all relevant Institute policies, should any exist.

Michael Gardner

From: Richie Hunter
To: Michael Gardner
Date: March 8, 2018, 2:36 PM
Subject: RE: Quote from The Washington Free Beacon Article

Michael -

If you have questions about the student handbook or student policies, please direct them to the appropriate office in Student Life.

Eminent domain is not relevant in this situation.

Thanks,
Richie

From: Michael Gardner
To: Richie Hunter
Date: March 8, 2018, 3:06 PM
Subject: RE: Quote from The Washington Free Beacon Article

Richie,

It was you who communicated with the press, not representatives of the Division of Student Life. My questions are in regards to your comments and interpretation in as much as you speak in an official capacity for the Institute.

My goal is to understand what happened and why you believe I violated Institute policy by distributing materials, which resulted in my being prohibited from public sidewalks--a point that has yet to be disputed.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Michael

From: Richie Hunter
To: Michael Gardner
Date: March 8, 2018, 3:23 PM
Subject: RE: Quote from The Washington Free Beacon Article

Hi Michael -

I do not respond to the media about individual students beyond basic information, and certainly did not speak to the media about you. I have directed you to the relevant Institute policies.

Best regards,
Richie

From: Michael Gardner
To: Richie Hunter
Date: March 8, 2018, 3:38 PM
Subject: RE: Quote from The Washington Free Beacon Article

Richie,

While I appreciate your sentiments, I still have not gained the clarity I have been seeking.

To confirm: the Institute does not dispute the fact that I was prohibited by RPI officials from distributing materials on public sidewalks?

Michael