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In reply to the discussion: The Limits of Free Speech [View all]COLGATE4
(14,732 posts)them that they have a right to appeal it is not Due Process. Due Process would, at a very minimum mean that they were formally advised of the nature of the charges against them, given an opportunity to contest tinding and the fpunishment that was contemplated, present evidence in their behalf and to be advised by counsel in doing so before any decision was taken.
Having said that and having been around universities all my life, I'm not confident that the Due Process Hearing that they were entitled to would have made a dime's worth of difference in the result - when the University President's butt is on the line and he's jumping to get out in front of a very embarrassing situation, they just go through the motions a la "Let's give him a fair trial and hang him'. But that still doesn't absolve the university of having violated these boys' rights, both in sanctioning them for using speech protected by the First Amendment and then again by denying them Due Process when they were charged with the violation. OU should be ashamed.