The University of Rhode Island has reached a decision regarding women's studies professor Donna Hughes' controversial web site. Readers will recall that URI administrators asked Hughes to remove two articles from her university web page after they drew threats of a libel suit from England. Readers will also recall that when, after more than six months, URI still had not decided what to do, the ACLU came to Hughes' defense. Yesterday, URI president Robert Carothers formally gave Hughes permission to re-post the articles on URI's web site:

Dear Dr. Hughes:

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we have sought to work our way through the issues raised by a legal challenge to matters printed on your personal Web site, posted through the UniversityÌs Web site. This case has given us the opportunity to explore complex issues associated with the UniversityÌs relatively new policy on Web publishing and to develop procedures for implementing it. Your forbearance through all of this is greatly appreciated.

Consistent with the procedures I described in my June 11, 2004 memorandum, the General Counsel has reviewed the allegations that these publications are libelous. He has determined that while a prima facie case for libel might be made, there are adequate defenses against any legal action taken. Our conclusion is that your work as published in the articles in question is a part of a legitimate exchange of opinions between parties who disagree. It is therefore protected by the UniversityÌs firm commitment to academic freedom.

You are free to repost the articles in question at your convenience.

Sincerely,

Robert L. Carothers
President

I am glad they came to this result. My own opinion of the matter changed the more I read your comments and those of the others.

I am happy URI finally got to this point and credit them with taking enough time (even too much perhaps) to think about this matter - weighing legal and speech issues apparently with an open mind.

I do still wonder whether they would have ended up at the same place if the views expressed by the Professor fell on the other side of the socio-political dividing lines.

Call me cynical on that one last point, stolypin, but I tend to think not.

Call me cynical on that one last point, stolypin, but I tend to think not.

Dave - exactly why I asked the question! :)