It took the filing of a federal lawsuit to get it done, but T. Hayden Barnes has been reinstated as a student at Valdosta State College (VSC). The school expelled Barnes eight months ago after he peacefully protested the school’s plan to use mandatory student activity fees to build two parking garages on campus. The Libertarian Party of Georgia offers congratulations to Barnes for his successful fight for the First Amendment, and recognizes the superb work of the Foundation For Individual Rights In Eduation (FIRE) for their legal help.
It began in May, 2007 when Barnes aggressively informed the students, faculty, governing bodies, and the state Board Of Regents about the school’s construction plans. He did such an effective job of raising concern that VSC President Ronald Zaccari went ballistic — the nerve of a mere student trying to thwart the enlightened plans of his college overlords! Deliberately misunderstanding some of Barnes’ satirical comments, Zaccari proclaimed him “a clear and present danger” to the school and ordered his expulsion.
Barnes’ FIRE attorney attempted to negotiate with VSC for months until it became apparent the school had no intention of becoming reasonable. On January 10th FIRE filed a federal lawsuit accusing VSC President Zaccari of violating Barnes’ right to freedom of speech, and of conspiring with co-defendents — other VSC officials — to throw Barnes off campus. The suit asks for damages, punitive damages, and court costs.
Six days later the Georgia Board Of Regents voted to overrule Zaccari’s expulsion order and reinstated T. Hayden Barnes as a student. It seems clear the Regents realized the suit Barnes and FIRE filed was serious and was likely to win in court.
State schools, as creatures of a government entity, are required to protect students’ Constitutional rights. There is no word yet if the Regents also plan on disciplining Zaccari for his failure to do so.
