The Residence Hall Association recently decided that political canvassing will not be allowed in on-campus residence halls. I believe that decision was not made in the interest of the student body, and I would like to encourage the RHA to reconsider.

In June of 2002, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that canvassing is a First Amendment right and that it is unconstitutional to require canvassers to obtain permits. In the ruling, the court stated, “It is offensive-not only to the values protected by the First Amendment, but to the very notion of a free society-that in the context of everyday public discourse a citizen must inform the government of her desire to speak to her neighbors and then obtain a permit to do so.” (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, Inc., et al. v. Village of Stratton et al., 536 U.S. 150)

I realize, of course, that by the time this is published the Nov. 4 election will have already occurred, and this issue will seem irrelevant. I also realize that as a private institution, Saint Louis University is not legally obligated to uphold the First Amendment on its campus.

However, I believe that it is our responsibility as a student body to defend a campus environment that allows for our development both as students and as men and women for others. If we truly wish to have such an environment, we must not only protect, but also encourage a free marketplace of ideas.

The RHA, in its decision, has put a restriction on SLU’s marketplace of ideas. As a result, it has discouraged student activism and passed up a fantastic opportunity for SLU students to be involved in the political discussion surrounding this historic election.

Thomas Bloom
Sophomore, College of Arts and Sciences