Free speech rights as solid as a rock at Stan State

By MICHELLE HATFIELD
mhatfield@modbee.com

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Known simply as "The Rock," a medium-sized boulder in the California State University, Stanislaus, quad has been a place for people to exercise their freedom of speech, whether to protest, hold rallies, pass out fliers or hold informal meetings.

Most campuses have at least one outdoor spot dedicated to open expression and gatherings. The University of California at Merced recently installed eight "boulder benches" in its quad outside the library for students.

Both serve as campus landmarks.

Modesto Bee - The "Freedom of Speech" rock sits in the quad at Stan State during construction Saturday. ( Adrian Mendoza / The Modesto Bee)

Stanislaus State's quad is being remodeled. Trees and grass were pulled for a new layout. But students, staff and alumni wanted to make sure The Rock would remain in the new quad and in its same spot.

Such monuments are important fixtures of campus life. Stanislaus State alumnus Ed Bearden said he remembers delivering The Rock to campus in 1966. It was placed in the quad in the center of campus just east of the library where the president's office -- and his window -- used to be.

Since then, it's been a pulpit for actress and Vietnam War opponent Jane Fonda, people protesting against abortion, garage bands, Ku Klux Klan members, and campaigners stumping for candidates and initiatives, according to Cliff Bailey, university director of operations and maintenance and a 1973 graduate.

Though The Rock was born in a time when many college campuses were embroiled in protests, today's campus isn't as brash. Andrew Janz, student body president, said these days Stanislaus State mainly is composed of apathetic commuter students. Regardless, such monuments serve a purpose.

"A university should be the center of freedom of speech in any community," he said. "It makes students feel they have their own place to voice their opinions without being censored."

The last group Janz remembers taking advantage of The Rock was a conservative religious group preaching to students.

"We wanted to keep The Rock. It's an important part of the university's history," Janz said.

A similar idea took hold at UC Merced with the installation of benches in the campus's quad with views of the library to the north and agricultural fields to the south.

A $4,000 donation from Merced Rotary organizations funded the benches.

"The benches show the community supports the UC," said Emily Tewes, economics freshman and member of the Rotaract club, the college equivalent of Rotary, a volunteer and networking organization. "It means a lot to students to feel that local connection."

The benches provide a spot for students to rest, study or hold meetings. Merced Sunrise Rotary members said they hope students will see the accompanying plaque and choose to get involved in their communities at some point in their lives.

"I sit on them, read or talk on the phone," said Dulce Ibarra, business management sophomore and Rotaract member. "I'm a tour guide, and they're something I always point out. It adds to our history and they'll be there for a long time."

Bee staff writer Michelle Hatfield can be reached at mhatfield@modbee.com or 578-2339.