Collegiate Times

Burning flags and freedom to publish without government approval are rights protected by the First Amendment.

This week, the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech has organized a week of events to raise awareness about the first amendment, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, right to assembly and right to petition.

Because of the many misconceptions about the first amendment, EMCVT ? the parent company for student media at Virginia Tech, including the Collegiate Times ? hopes to increase knowledge on campus with activities and projects designed to encourage debate, question authority and clear up popular misconceptions.

?The first amendment is imperative for a successful citizen-based democracy. The idea of free speech and free press creates the framework for all of the government structure that we enjoy today,? said Kelly Furnas, EMCVT editorial adviser.

Events include a guest speaker, free speech workshops, a heavy media campaign, a gallery display of student expression and a student essay contest.

?I think that based on some of the studies that have been done, people don?t understand their first amendment rights like they should. It?s quite frightening,? Furnas said.

A First Amendment Essay Contest has been organized in which students are asked to write about what the first amendment means to them using current events, historical perspective and their personal experience. The winning essay will receive a prize of $100 and will be published online and submitted for publication in he Collegiate Times. The winning entrant may also be asked to read the essay on-air at WUVT. Essays are due today at 5 p.m. in 350A Squires. The winner will be announced Friday, Sept.8 at noon.

Additionally, a Gallery of Student Expression will run from 10 a.m. ? 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4 through Friday, Sept. 8. The gallery encourages students to celebrate their freedom of expression by contributing.

?I?m excited to see the work of my fellow students and to see what aspects of the first amendment are most important to them through their creativity,? said junior communication major Meagan Flood.

The visual art displays will include paintings and photographs exhibited on easels, tables of sculptures, performances of original music on compact disc and performances of original drama on DVD. All artwork will be the work of Virginia Tech students.

?So often, our rights get taken for granted. People don?t exercise them enough, and they tend to be forgotten or worse, eliminated. Even someone giving the gallery a passing glance means that we?re able to put in the front of their minds just how great the freedom of expression really is,? Furnas said.

A workshop and lecture by Paul McMasters, one of the nation?s leading authorities on first amendment issues will take place Thursday, September 7. The workshop is at 2 p.m. in 219 Squires Student Center (because of limited space, please email furnas@vt.edu to reserve a spot). The lecture will be at 6 p.m. in Haymarket Theatre in Squires.

?Going into the communication field, I?m looking forward to hearing what he has to say about freedom of the press. I feel like I?m unaware of specifically what my rights are,? Flood said. McMasters currently serves as a first amendment ombudsman, where he works to educate and inform about first amendment issues that arise in Congress, the courts, the media and other areas of public life.

?Paul McMasters is undoubtedly one of the top experts in the country on the first amendment,? Furnas said. ?We?ve seen a lot of issues lately that really relate to the heart of the first amendment and its popularity to the American public. Paul is someone that can provide a very realistic view of the first amendment.?

First Amendment Week began yesterday and runs through Friday.