An Inclusive Litany

11/22/93

The University of California, Riverside, suspended a fraternity for distributing T-shirts advertising a "south of the border" party that depicted a man in a serape and sombrero who was sitting on a beach with a bottle of tequila. This was judged an offensive stereotype.

The fraternity successfully challenged the suspension, citing the First Amendment and a new California statute protecting free speech on campuses. Under the terms of the ensuing settlement, administrators who suspended the fraternity were sentenced to undergo five hours of sensitivity training about the First Amendment at the hands of constitutional law professors.