Universities improve the quality of our society and strengthen future leaders through the discovery of new knowledge and the questioning of conventional wisdom. These goals are best achieved in a thriving marketplace of ideas whose participants are actively encouraged to seek out and exchange new ideas while exploring a diverse array of opinions.

This mission extends beyond the classroom to extracurricular opportunities created by students to enhance their higher education experience. Students translate academic lessons into hands-on experience through internship programs, leadership positions, and volunteer opportunities within groups they create and support. The entire campus community benefits from the cultural events, public policy debates, and guest speakers provided by student organizations and programs.

There have been numerous legal, legislative and administrative initiatives to stifle the voices of students by restricting access to student fees, limiting access to university facilities and censoring student publications, all of which has a detrimental impact on the quality of the university experience. The university provides an important platform for the expression of a multitude of opinions and deserves heightened protection from attacks on freedom of speech.

The Center for Campus Free Speech was created by a variety of members of the higher education community - students, faculty, administrators, and others - to protect and to promote free speech on campuses. The Center acts as a clearinghouse of information, provides specialized support to campuses, and connects concerned educators, administrators, lawyers and students into a national network. The Center draws advice and guidance from a group of leaders in the higher education and legal communities.

Megan Fitzgerald is the Program Director for the Center for Campus Free Speech. Megan is a 2003 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, where she worked with the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group as a campaign coordinator and assistant citizen outreach director. While in college, Megan also worked with a number of other student organizations including the Campus Women’s Center and Associated Students of Madison (ASM) to help defend student activity fees and students' roles in administering the fee system. Prior to working with the Center, Megan was a lobbyist in Georgia where she coordinated campaigns to protect the environment and public health.

Ashley Lubenkov is the Field Organizer for the Center for Campus Free Speech. Working with the Free Exchange on Campus Coalition, Ashley is responsible for leading campaigns to stop the "Academic Bill of Restrictions" and similar proposals on the state level. Ashley is a 2007 graduate of Wake Forest University. While in college, Ashley interned with the League of Conservation Voters running grassroots outreach campaigns and was the campus coordinator for Democracy Matters, an organization working to promote campaign finance reform.

Now Hiring:

Center for Campus Free Speech Field Organizer

About us:

The Center for Campus Free Speech was created by a variety of members of the higher education community - students, faculty, administrators, and others - to protect and to promote free speech on campuses. The Center acts as a clearinghouse of information, provides specialized support to campuses, and connects concerned educators, administrators, lawyers and students into a national network. In addition, we work as part of the Free Exchange on Campus Coalition to stop proposals that would restrict what students can learn in class.

Job Description:
The Field Organizer will be working to build support for a free exchange of ideas and our coalition across the country. Over the past few years, more than 20 states have considered proposals that would restrict what students are able to learn and faculty are able to teach on college campuses. Heralded as an “Academic Bill of Rights” by proponents, these bills are in fact not about rights, but restrictions. As part of the Free Exchange on Campus Coalition, we’re working to stop proposals that would restrict a free exchange of ideas on college campuses throughout the country.

Freedom and open debate are at the core of what makes learning possible at a college campus. It’s this freedom that sponsors new ideas, fosters debate, exposes students to frames and theories they have never encountered and challenges core beliefs. It’s hard to imagine universities successfully challenging their students and their communities without the freedom to say, think and debate anything and everything.

Despite that, there are some people that would rather have silence than dissent. The Academic Bill of Restrictions would damage higher education, stripping students and faculty of their free speech rights, creating a chilling effect on what professors feel able to teach and students feel able to discuss.

In every subject, in each class, there’s something controversial, where the professor has to argue a position – that is the professor’s job. At the same time, a student can and should argue with the professor’s conclusions. That’s a student’s job.

ABOR would remove those crucial exchanges. It would stop political debate in class, and it would, and already has, allowed politically motivated students to drag their professor’s names through the mud if their political beliefs are challenged, threatening lawsuit if the professor is not demoted or censured.

We’re working to stop this spin machine by building a strong network of faculty, administrators, student leaders and free speech advocates to show that these ideas are dangerous and without merit.

Specifically, the Field Organizer will:

• Build a political network: Build coalitions with campus and state higher education and civil liberties organizations, identify and mobilize concerned campus and state administrators, faculty and students, and reach out to new constituencies to build our base of support in the state.

• Generate media attention and build public awareness: Organize news conferences and other press events, meet with editorial boards and reporters throughout the country, conduct TV and radio interviews, and generate opinion editorials and letters to the editor.

• Lobby decision-makers: Demonstrate broad public support for our positions through letter writing drives, e-mail activism, testimony, and meetings with decision-makers considering “Academic Bill of Restrictions” proposals.

• Build the organization: Work with and build membership in the organization and coalition, recruit and manage staff, and raise funds.

This position involves one to two weeks traveling per month.

Qualifications:

We are looking for motivated individuals who are willing to work hard and commit themselves to getting results. We value experience with campus groups or student government, academic achievement, public interest commitment, and outstanding verbal, written and leadership skills. But most of all, we look for people who find a way to make a difference.

Salary & Benefits:

As a recent graduate, you will earn $23,750 in your first year with the Center for Campus Free Speech. Salary for experienced candidates is commensurate with relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees. You will be eligible to opt in to our group health plan, will accrue two weeks paid vacation and will be eligible to apply for college loan assistance.

Locations:

The Center for Campus Free Speech is hiring for a Field Organizer based in Chicago, IL.

How to Apply:

Please email a resume and cover letter to Megan Fitzgerald, Program Director (megan@campusspeech.org).

Questions

Please contact Megan Fitzgerald in our office with any questions: e-mail her at megan@campusspeech.org or call (312) 291-0396.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2008.