Activism, Community, Service.

For nearly a quarter century, American students have been at the forefront of social and political change.

Whether it was civil rights, communism, the war in Vietnam or the current war on terror, students have excercised their right to be heard.

Students on college campuses across the United States and around the world are itesting their First Ammendment rights on a daily basis.

Here at George Mason, students are no different. Mason students come from diverse backgrounds and have strongly held beliefs and opinions. That said, George Mason’s track record for supporting these strongly held beliefs and opinions has been inconsitant at best.

"I really don't believe that freedom of speech exsists here at George Mason," Student for a Democratic Society president, Jasper Connors said. "The (GMU) administration has decided that the area around the clock tower is know as 'a free speech zone,' well why would be need that, unless the rest of campus is a no-free speech zone."

Students who have excercised their right to freedom of speech have been forced to overcome obstacles and administrative red-tape. These students are finding that ultimately, the university has the last say on what students can and cannot say. The real question is; does free speech really exist?

By: Stephen Ball & Veronica Hohenstein