MSA revokes resolution to ban JuicyCampus

Supports plan to reassess their approach in light of a recent lawsuit.

By Amanda Wysocki

Published Jan. 23, 2009

Supporters of a Missouri Students Association decision to ban gossip Web site JuicyCampus.com from the MU network will try a different tactic in light of a lawsuit over the site.

MSA Senator Phyllis Williams abandoned the original plan after learning about a recent lawsuit filed by JuicyCampus against Tennessee State University for blocking the site.

Williams initially filed the legislation after students voiced concern about safety.

"I had been aware of similar sites, but this was a different level of severity," Williams said. "What alarmed me was that posts would attack a student in a vicious way and then leave a taunting message."

After JuicyCampus founder and chief executive Matt Ivester filed a lawsuit against TSU, Williams reassessed her approach.

"His frame of reference is not one that allows for student safety," Williams said. "No matter how legitimate (a) lawsuit might be, MU is a bigger target than Tennessee State. If we lost the lawsuit, the undue and free publicity would just proliferate the site."

The outcome of the case would have an effect on the legal implications of MU's potential ban, Student Legal Services Coordinator Steve Concannon said.

"It presents a novel question in regard to libel and slander law," Concannon said. "It's the first time I'm aware of that totally anonymous posts could be put out there and they guarantee anonymity."

Concannon said the courts would have to decide whether a Web site with anonymous posters is guaranteed First Amendment rights.

"The question is if one can say something totally false and injurious and have the online facilitator of the language be able to stand behind First Amendment rights and say they have no control over the authors of these posts," Concannon said.

Western Illinois University also banned the Web site after administrators heard a student would be transferring to WIU from Illinois State University because of information posted about her.

"There are no positive things that could come from this Web site," WIU Student Government Association President Robert Dulski said. "Students have a contract with the university. You voluntarily come here. You have freedom of speech and press, but you do not have the right to violate a voluntary code of conduct with the university."

Once the administration approached the student government, Dulski said the SGA placed a stamp of approval on it. At an upcoming statewide student government meeting of all the public schools in Illinois, Dulski asked to add a discussion of banning JuicyCampus to the agenda.

"I want to ask for a statewide commitment of state schools to take it back to their schools," Dulski said. "We aren't suing the site, but hopefully, 10 schools will be unable to access the site on their computers." While Williams is no longer pushing for a ban on the Web site, she still intends to take actions to help protect students, especially those living in the residence halls.

"I would like to meet with the Department of Residential Life to ensure that those students who live in a residence hall have options," Williams said.

If a student feels unsafe in his or her room due to information posted on the Web site, Williams proposed that students should be able to move into any available room without having to pay extra.

"I got into this to protect students," Williams said. "I do not want to let the end justify the means while more students could be negatively impacted by the site."