Censored

Censorship.

It's a word and concept that should send a shiver down the spine of anyone who supports the First Amendment. And unfortunately, it's happening at Elon University.

Two weeks ago during College Coffee, the new Greek houses and Staley Hall in Colonnades were open for curious students and faculty members to wander and see what the inside looks like. Some students, like senior residence assistant Taylor Ferguson, volunteered to leave their doors open to those on tour.

When preparing for the tour, Ferguson was told by Residence Life staff that she needed to remove two posters hanging in her room because they might make people uncomfortable. One poster was of two women, clothed, kissing, and the other was of two women without any clothing, shot from the side, although neither genitalia nor nipples were visible. Above this poster was a sign that read "Lebanese," an homage to a "Glee" episode from last spring.

Dawn Morgan, the assistant director of residence life in Colonnades, said there is no Residence Life policy on the books about what decorations can or cannot be displayed in individual student rooms, so long as there are no fire hazards and there isn't an issue about the item between roommates. If this were the case, Morgan said a roommate meeting would be held.

But there was no fire hazard or roommate feud. Ferguson was simply displaying something she considers a part of her personal identity in the space in which she lives as a bisexual woman. And people in a position of authority told her this piece of her identity wasn't acceptable for others to view.

In other words, they censored her dorm room decorations for the sake of the assumed comfort level of others. Ferguson said she's never had anyone tell her these images make them uncomfortable and people who have heard this story call the poster removal ridiculous.

Adding to the conflicting nature of the situation is the fact that Ferguson had violated Residence Life policies that are documented. Her bed is lofted beyond the allowed height and she has a stolen football sign in her room. The Residence Life staff chose what they wanted to enforce and in this case, that was censorship.

Meanwhile across campus in the Center for the Arts, the cast of "Hair" was gearing up to strip down. In the climactic conclusion of the first act, the performers removed as much of their clothing as they felt comfortable, and for many, that meant removing everything, standing completely naked on a stage in front of faculty, students, other visitors and even their own parents.

Although the lights were dimmed, the bodies of the performers were still visible and very little was left to the imagination. Audience members were warned with signs in the theater and one of the main characters joked about the upcoming scene in his opening monologue.

In the program, director Catherine McNeela wrote, "... my point of view as director was not to censor, nor require, the nudity, but rather to leave it as an individual option for each member of the company."

Same campus. Same student body. Completely different standards.

There have been an incredible number of emails this semester about tolerance and respect. Diversity is probably one of the most-used words in every Elon publication, speech and governing document. Any student leader can attest that supporting diversity is the topic that's been given the most attention.

Ferguson said in Residence Life training, diversity is similarly stressed and mock scenarios about handling differences between roommates with dissimilar backgrounds or belief systems are often brought up. The case that's often given is two students living together, one of which displays a lot of religious symbols. The two are told to work it out and perhaps keep all religious items located on one side of the room. Ferguson said removing the items is never a possible solution.

As a community, we need to make a decision. Tolerate the human body or don't tolerate it. Respect the rights of students to express themselves or don't respect them. Accept that the human body can be seen by all or don't accept it. But choose quickly because sending mixed messages of tolerance in a place that has recently tried so desperately to preach respect is just plain frustrating.

And while we recognize the right Elon University, a private institution, has to censor its students' activities, it should abstain from this practice, especially when it includes silencing the voices touting the qualities Elon claims to value the most.

As for us, we urge the administration to ere on the side of "Hair," to let it all hang out and let those who celebrate the human body do so freely.