This email was cause for concern at ASMSU’s Policy Committee meeting last week because the group was unsure if this was a violation of the right to free speech.

MSU’s policy concerning canvassing on campus, specified on the Student Life website, states groups petitioning, campaigning, canvassing, soliciting or distributing materials only can do so during public access hours.

It also states groups should sign in at the residence hall reception desk, specify the time period they will be there and respect any signs a student might have, which specifies “No Solicitors or Distributors.”

Ashley Chaney, Residence Education and Housing Services assistant director of communications, said in an email the discrepancy is because of changes in security systems in the residence halls and the wording of the policy soon will be changed to reflect this.

Chaney said the email was meant to inform staff of what is permitted in the living wings of the residence halls.

Chaney said because of security technology now at all residence halls, there is restricted access for nonresidents to elevators, living wings and exterior doors at all times.

However, Azhar Majeed, associate director of legal and public advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, or FIRE, is concerned that this might, in fact, be infringing on students’ rights to free speech.

“It’s not reasonable if those students (trying to canvas) have a right to be there,” Majeed said. “(But universities) should have the ability to restrict access to those who don’t live in those dorms.”

Majeed said the original Student Life policy seems to balance student safety and the students’ right to free speech.

He did say, however, the policy should distinguish between off-campus groups and student groups, as students have the right to political discussion with each other on campus.

Accounting junior Bobby Fox said while he was working with the Youth for Ron Paul campaign last school year, the group called for permission to canvas in the residence halls but was forced to jump through numerous hoops to do so, only reaching success in some dorms.

Fox said he understands the need for safety in the residence halls, but student groups should not be restricted from canvassing in the halls, and outside groups only should be denied permission if they truly appear to be a security threat.

“These rules do not inhibit the right to free speech, they simply restrict the access of nonresidents to the living wings of residence halls for safety reasons,” Chaney said.

Chaney said her department will be working with groups to make sure they still can express political interests outside living wings.