The head of Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) at DePaul University is facing expulsion after he released the names of vandals who destroyed a pro-life flag display.
Kristopher Del Campo, the chairman of the conservative student organization, has been sanctioned by the university after having being charged for violating DePaul’s Code of Student Responsibility and found guilty on two counts: Disorderly, Violent, Intimidating, or Dangerous Behavior to Self or Others, and Judicial Process Compliance.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision in January, Del Campo, a 23-year old psychology major, and other students were granted permission from the university to build a pro-life display that featured 500 flags. However, vandals destroyed the display and stuffed some of the flags into trash cans.
A university investigation released the names of 13 students who admitted to the vandalism following identification by security cameras. Del Campo then listed the names of the vandals on the YAF website, an action that led to the posting of negative comments directed at the vandals. As a result, the university held Del Campo responsible for the comments, claiming he placed these students “at substantial risk of physical harm.”
“Instead of supporting a student whose free speech rights were violated, DePaul University bullied Kristopher Del Campo for daring to expose the 13 vandals,” said Ron Robinson, YAF’s Foundation President. “They put him through a Soviet-style show trial.”
According to YAF, Del Campo was not permitted counsel at the university tribunal that convicted him.
Other free speech groups have lent support to Del Campo.
“The 13 DePaul students named in the public safety report admitted not only to vandalizing YAF’s display but also planning to do so,” wrote Pete Bonilla, of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, in a letter to DePaul’s president. “Students who purposefully vandalize the works of other students should not expect to be shielded from the public consequences of their actions.”
Del Campo, who is about to graduate, has been told by the DePaul Dean of Students that he could be expelled.
“It is unfortunate that this incident is part of your educational career,” wrote Dean Art Murin. “Any further infractions of the Code of Student Responsibility during your probationary period may result in additional disciplinary action including removal from the university.”
Del Campo has said that, even though he was warned by Murin not to fight the university, he plans to do so.
“This is wrong,” Del Campo told Fox News. “This university has a problem with free speech rights and this time they met a challenger who is not backing down.”
Photo credit: Young Americans for Freedom
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.