it seems that our university president has nothing better to do except deal with political posters and halloween decorations in dorm windows.

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The University's rule prohibiting the display of signs in students' residence hall room windows has been the subject of a great deal of discussion for the past few days. I am keenly aware that this prohibition is of intense concern to many members of the student body, as well as the larger community. I believe that the free expression of ideas is crucial to our educational mission, and that our rules should foster civil discourse and debate. I conclude, therefore, that this rule should be carefully reviewed with the participation of all constituencies in The University of Texas at Austin community, including students.

Effective immediately, I am suspending the prohibition on signs in individual students' residence hall room windows and any sanctions related to its enforcement. The rule will be removed today from the Division of Housing and Food Service's rules, and will be replaced with an interim regulation that expressly allows the display of signs and posters in students' residence hall room windows.

Juan Gonzalez, Vice President for Student Affairs, has kept me well informed on this issue. I have asked him to convene a committee composed of all major constituencies to discuss all aspects of the policy on residence hall room signs and make recommendations on any changes that need to be made. The interim rule allowing signage in individual students' residence hall room windows will remain in place until the committee issues its report and I act upon their recommendations.

William Powers, Jr.
President

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this is the email that i got about it from a hall coordinator about the situation ...

Window displays are not allowed in any form or fashion. They can go onto the DHFS website and search “window” to bring up the policy. (The search function now works.) The policy specifically states: “Windows and screens may not be used to display advertisements, posters, flags, clothing or any externally visible display.”

This includes any stickers, Halloween decorations, etc. Let residents know that we are not discriminating against anyone or political signs, and that students with decorations/stickers will be just as subject to documentation as students with political signs.

Suggest ways that students can exercise their rights to free speech like:

- Carrying the sign around campus
- Wearing a t-shirt for their particular candidate
- Putting a sticker/magnet on their car
- Volunteering to man to polls
- Joining the University Democrats or Republicans

i find it dumb that they don't offer ways for students to show their support for halloween.