Document: 410 U.S. 667 93 S.Ct. 1197 35 L.Ed.2d 618 Barbara Susan PAPISHv.The BOARD OF CURATORS the UNIVERSITY MISSOURI et al. No. 72—794. Decided March 19, 1973. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner, a graduate student in University of Missouri School Journalism, was expelled for distributing on campus newspaper 'containing forms indecent speech'1 violation bylaw Board Curators. The newspaper, Free Press Underground, had been sold this state university more than four years pursuant to an authorization obtained from Business Office. particular issue question found be unacceptable two reasons. First, front cover publishers reproduced political cartoon previously printed another depicting policemen raping Statue Liberty and Goddess Justice. capition under read: '. . With Justice All.' Secondly, contained article entitled 'M——-f——- Acquitted,' which discussed trial acquittal assault charge New York City youth who member organization known as 'Up Against Wall, M——-f——-.' 2 Following hearing, Student Conduct Commitee that petitioner violated Par. B Art. V General Standards requires students 'to observe generally accepted standards conduct' specifically prohibits 'indecent conduct or speech.'2 Her expulsion, after affirmance first by Chancellor then its Curators, made effective middle spring semester. Although she permitted remain until end semester, not given credit one course passing grade.3 3 After exhausting her administrative review alternatives within University, brought action declaratory injunctive relief 42 U.S.C. § 1983 United States District Court Western Missouri. She claimed expulsion improperly premised activities protected First Amendment. denied relief, 331 F.Supp. 1321, Appeals affirmed, judge dissenting. 464 F.2d 136. Rehearing en banc equally divided vote all judges Eighth Circuit. 4 Court's opinion rests, part,4 conclusion banned obscene. it unnecessary decide question. Instead, assuming obscene distribution community at large would Amendment, court held 'freedom expression' could properly 'subordinated other interests such as, example, conventions decency use display language pictures.' Id., 145. concluded '(t)he Constitution does compel (to allow) publications litigation publicly distributed open campus.' Ibid. 5 This case decided several days before we handed down Healy v. James, 408 169, 92 2338, 33 266 (1972), which, while recognizing university's undoubted prerogative enforce reasonable rules governing conduct, reaffirmed 'state colleges universities are enclaves immune sweep Amendment.' 180, S.Ct., 2345. See Tinker Des Moines Independent District, 393 503, 89 733, 21 731 (1969). We think makes clear mere dissemination ideas—no matter how offensive good taste—on cammpus may shut off name alone 'conventions decency.' Other recent precedents make neither nor headline story involved can labeled constitutionally otherwise unprotected. E.g., Kois Wisconsin, 229, 2245, 312 (1972); Gooding Wilson, 405 518, 1103, 31 Cohen California, 403 15, 91 1780, 29 284 (1971).5 There is opinions below suggests University's here viewed exercise legitimate authority regulations time, place, manner speech dissemination. While have repeatedly approved regulatory authority, e.g., U.S., 192 193, 2351—2352, facts set forth show clearly because disapproved content rather distribution.6 6 Since Amendment leaves no room operation dual standard academic with respect speech, cannot justified nondiscriminatory application judgments courts must reversed. Accordingly petition writ certiorari granted, remanded Court, instructed order restore any credits earned semester and, unless barred reinstatement valid reasons, reinstate program. 7 Reversed remanded. 8 Mr. Chief BURGER, dessenting. 9 I join dissent REHNQUIST follows add few additional observations. 10 present distinguishable prior holdings Cohen, Rosenfeld, erroneous those are.* Rosenfeld dealt prosecutions criminal statutes allowed imposition severe penalties. Unlike traditional cases, deal govern university. 11 In theory, least, merely arena discussion ideas faculty; also institution where individuals learn express themselves acceptable, civil terms. provide environment self-restraint necessary functioning civilized society understand need external restraints submit if group existence tolerable. 12 find curious—even bizarre—extension say impotent petitioner. Students are, course, free criticize university, faculty, Government vigorous, even harsh, But unreasonable violative subject disciplinary distribute same time infantile. To preclude college regulating materials protect values inherent Amendment; rather, demeans values. anomaly holding today suggested now familiar 'code' abbreviation petitioner's foul language. 13 judgment eminently correct. It should affirmed. 14 REHNQUIST, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE BLACKMUN join, 15 2345, general proposition concrete us. public there afforded adequate notice hearing proposed take involved. Here found, finding questioned opinion, 'the arises context dismissal, service written charges full fair rule conduct.' 136, 138. 16 Both do believe proper our jurisdiction warrants summary reversal dependent part assessment record squarely governed decisions, serious reservations about result reached disposition case. 17 * Petitioner Papish has many Judge Stephenson, writing case, summarized these words: 18 'Miss Papish's reveals rush complete requirements degree Journalism. posesses 1958 Connecticut; admitted school September 1963; although attended through fall, winter summer semesters, was, work, making little, any, significant progress toward achievement stated objective. At Miss enrolled one-hour 'Research Journalism' three-hour 'Ceramics 4.' immediately preceding only 3." F.2d, 138 n. 2. 19 Whatever lack ability motivation area, active fronts. words Appeals: 20 '3. On November 1, 1967, Faculty Committee Conduct, placed probation remainder status University. basis .. arose out events took place October 14, 1967 when hosting high seniors their parents purpose acquainting them educational programs aspects life. charged, inter alia, openly distributing, grounds, without permission appropriate personnel, non-University Democratic Society (SDS). alleged charges, apparently established ensuing publications, Left Notes, 'pornographic, words, 'f—-,' 'bulls—-,' 'sh—s." recites publication, CIA Clolege: Into Twilight Back, 'a pornographic picture rats fornicating ..' '4. Some weeks incident causing prolonged submarginal progress. condition pursue satisfactory work thesis, evidenced completion presentation completed chapters thesis advisor By letter dated January 31, 1969, notified failure comply special specified termination candidacy degree.' 138—139, nn. 3, 4. 22 light background respondents finally described opinion. fails note, however, findings circumstances hawked near memorial tower University: 23 'The Memorial Tower central unit integrated structures dedicated memory died Armed Services World Wars II. adjacent units include Union Non-Sectarian chapel prayer meditation. Through Arch pass students, guests including persons age students.' 1325 24 plaintiff knowingly intentionally participated publication provoke confrontation authorities pandering crude, puerile, vulgar obscenities.' 1325. II 25 continue adhere dissenting views expressed Jersey, 901, 2479, 321 word 'M——-f——-' 'lewd onscene' terms were used Chaplinsky Hampshire, 315 568, 62 766, 86 L.Ed. 1031 (1942). said: 26 'There certain well-defined narrowly limited classes prevention punishment never thought raise Constitutional problem. These lewd obscene, profane, libelous insulting 'fighting' words—those very utterance inflict injury tend incite immediate breach peace. well observed utterances essential exposition ideas, slight social value step truth benefit derived outweighed interest morality.' 571—572, 769. 27 convinced correctness control outcome simply follow decision itself criminally prosecuted question, therefore establishment A educating State's young people, supported tax revenues citizens. notion officials lawfully charged governance so little over they responsible prevent quite me suspect Framers indeed observation unanimous 'such essentrial morality' applies compelling force. III 28 cautions 'disenchantment performance, understandable been, justification denial constitutional rights.' Quite so. wooden insistence equating, purposes, State punish modicum operates, serves education well. reason 'disenchantment' speaks may, decision, become widespread among taxpayers legislators. system tax-supported grown up country truly great accomplishments; grow thrive serve expanding population, something grudging support scarcely blame latter if, told function supply money reach point doubt game worth candle. Dean Students, reprinted Appeals' 139 (CA8 1972). pertinent part, states: 'Students enrolling assume obligation expected compatible functions missions institution. For required conduct. (I)ndecent examples contravene standard. .' Papish, 32-year-old student, 1963. Five one-half later, episode consideration occurred, still pursuing degree. 'academic probation' 'prolonged progress,' since disseminating literature words.' occurred host parents. disenchantment rights. Prefatorily, petitioner, nonresident Missouri, powerless complain dismissal enjoyed 'federally right attend domiciled resident.' 1326. Appeals, affirmed different ground, deemed 'unnecessary comment' upon rationale. 141 9. reasoning directly inconsistent long line controlling decisions Court. Perry Sindermann, 593, 596—598, 2694, 2697—2698, 570 cases cited therein. Under reversed vacated number involving expletive headline. Cason Columbus, 409 1053, 565, 34 507 Lewis Orleans, 913, 2499, Brown Oklahoma, 914, 2507, 326 (1972). Cf. Keefe Geanakos, 418 359, 361 (CA1 1969) true, REHNQUIST'S indicates, emphasized engaged 'pandering.' clear, reference 'pandering' addressed page headline, disseminated. F.Supp., 1325, 1328, 1329, 1330, 1332. As states, dispute.' against unrelated either distribution. Dean's 'forms speech' 'improper 139. Moreover, majority quoted disapproval verified affidavit stating 'no disruption connection distribution.' 139—140. Likewise, both refer uncontroverted fact. 145, 1328. Thus, absence interference rights others, sole whether proscribe form expression. 27, 1789, (1971) (Blackmun, J., Burger, C.J., Black, joined, dissenting); 528, 1109, (1972) (Burger, dissenting), id., 534, 1112 902, 2483 903, 2479 (Powell, 909, 2484 (Rehnquist, dissenting).

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