College Reverses Punishment for Swearing

Hinds Community College has backed down from punishing a student for violating rules against swearing on campus. The college's decision to punish the student angered civil liberties groups as soon it became public in May and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education intervened on his behalf. Under a settlement, the student will no longer be barred from classes. Will Creeley, FIRE's director of legal and public advocacy, said it was important to remember that "Hinds Community College isn't some Victorian finishing school — it's a public institution bound by the First Amendment."