Freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas are essential in an academic setting and should be encouraged rather than punished. The signers of the petition demand that the student who was suspended for expressing his personal beliefs online in a form of a personal blog be fully reinstated to the University and that all disciplinary actions taken against him be overturned. Specifically, the signers of petition believe that the decision by the Marquette University Faculty/Student Conduct Board should be overturned on the following grounds: Whereas: The Dental School Faculty/Student Conduct Board denied the student a fair hearing Whereas: The University grossly infringed on his right to freedom of speech by using statements made to a close group of friends on his personal blog against him Whereas: The punishment was overly excessive and can be shown to be more than arbitrary and capricious Whereas: The decision, If upheld, would set a disastrous precedent for student free speech rights and would give the University a seemingly limitless reach into students lives. Please join Marquette College Democrats, Marquette College Republicans, and the blogs of 1832,The Warrior Blog,GOP3.com and others by signing this petition with your @MU email address if you have one. [If you would like your organization or blog added to the official petition sponsor list please contact me at [email protected] ]