Andrew Huse, Senior Staff Photographer

For 38 years, San Diego State’s Free Speech Steps have been the designated area for rallies, protests and demonstrations.

However, a University Senate ad hoc committee is currently reviewing the campus-wide standards in hopes of creating a revised and expanded policy that is “designed to serve freedom of expression.”

The ad hoc committee on free expression and academic freedom was formed after a number of University Senate members contacted the chair expressing concern about incidents that occurred last semester involving student organizations and free expression. The committee is also examining what’s entailed in the concept of “free speech zones.” Some are pushing to eliminate designated zones altogether.

University Senate Chair Fred Hornbeck established the 18-member ad hoc committee – comprised of faculty, staff and students – to review campus policies on freedom of expression and academic freedom and make revisions where necessary.

The committee invited faculty, staff, students and the general public to share their opinions on the issue at an open forum held last Thursday. Attendees filled the Lipinksky Hospitality Center – some waited for a chance to be heard, while others came to listen.

Students from the Campus Anti-War Network, San Diego Socialists and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano/a de Aztl