The opposite views of students and faculty led to more and more conflict, and President Leo Jenkins had Thonen expelled for the offense he took from Thonen s article. The administration takes an opposing stance. Five hundred students boycotted, didn t go to class and waited for the decision from the ECU Board of Trustees , despite the 50-degree weather. The MRC visitation proposal was for the hours of 12 noon until curfew, seven days a week. Thonen was expelled and decided to take the University to court because they violated his freedom of the press.
Student publications have First Amendment rights.
The 70 s were wild, everyone was carefree. Thonen suggested that since his editiorial policy was that no material be subject to censorship, the only ethical alternative open would be to resign and make way for another person who didn t have the same views. The case of Thonen vs. ECU took a while, and Thonen was reinstated in school, but not until about 10 years later. The case handed down a national precedent for student newspapers. A self-regulated student press is a free student press.