Bailiff honored for support of free student press

Ball State University will present Diane Bailiff its John R. Emens National Award for Support of a Free Student Press next month. The ESU vice president for student affairs will be honored at an April 2 ceremony in Muncie, Ind.

"When the people at Ball State asked me for a nominee, she was the obvious choice," said Mark Goodman, executive director of the Student Press Law Center.

Goodman nominated Bailiff after the center newsletter reported on the course of action Bailiff took when a student ripped up over 700 copies of ESU's student newspaper "The Bulletin."

On March 1, 2002, the student left pile of shredded newspapers in his dorm along with a note asking other students to protest the general editorial content of "The Bulletin" by destroying it.

In the weeks after the incident, Bulletin editor Chad Rummel contacted other college newspaper editors who told him that pursuing action would be a "hopeless cause."

"Dr. Bailiff proved them wrong," said Rummel. "She sent a message that destroying someone else's right to information is not free speech."

Bailiff supported the Bulletin's freedom of press by requiring the vandal to compensate "The Bulletin" for damages and perform a community service project.

"Newspapers are very concerned about theft because it directly affects their ability to do their work. However, in many cases administrators ignore newspaper theft, or treat it as an insignificant prank," said Goodman.

"Dr. Bailiff took action hoping to instill students with the values of a democratic society. This was not a typical administrative response," he said.

John R. Emens is a former president of Ball State University who was supportive of a free campus press, said Marilyn Weaver, chair of the BSU journalism department. The Emens award is among several the department awards each year to professional journalists, successful alumni and college administrators.

"This was a very special award to receive," said Bailiff. "I am truly thrilled that this is happening."

"It shows that ESU is a place where students can express themselves in an environment where there might be disagreement, but in an atmosphere that is rational and respectful," she said.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>