Following the University’s adoption of its finalized Expressive Activity Policy in March, administrators revised the new policy, allowing campus protests without restrictions, with only one catch: it can only be done while wearing “Make America Great Again” hats.
The newly revised policy allows for students — or anyone — to protest in classrooms, Ho Plaza and in front of Day Hall 24/7 while wearing President Donald Trump’s MAGA hats, showing the University’s commitment to supporting the “greatest president to ever live, ever” according to a statement from University administrators on Tuesday.
The policy also allows for demonstrators wearing MAGA hats to have direct access to Day Hall and even the president's office to voice their opinions on important issues to administrators. Students are encouraged to get on top of Mikey K’s desk and scream their most pressing concerns.
“It is important for this university to not restrict the speech of those who wear a MAGA hat, as it would imply that we are censoring what supporters of President Trump have to say,” the statement reads. “Censoring the speech of those who support the dictator — I mean, president — who has done so much for this country — would be contrary to the values of this university, and it is something we cannot tolerate.”
This decision follows the federal government freezing over $1 billion from Cornell after an ongoing civil rights investigation from the now defunct U.S. Department of Education. It is unclear how an unstaffed department is currently carrying out an investigation.
“The new policy allows for students wearing MAGA hats and supporters of President Trump to be as disruptive as possible on campus effective immediately,” administrators explained. Administrators later performed a cover of “Please, Please, Please” by Sabrina Carpenter in front of a photo of President Trump following the announcement.
Trump responded to the announcement of the new policy revision in a post to Truth Social on Monday, highlighting his support for the University and revocation of the funding freeze.
“CORNELL UNIVERSITY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN ALLOWING PROUD PATRIOTS TO VOICE THEIR INCREDIBLE AND VALUABLE OPINIONS ALL OVER CAMPUS WHENEVER THEY WANT,” Trump wrote. “IT IS A GOOD DAY IN AMERICA FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT THIS GREAT COUNTRY, AND I, THE GREATEST PRESIDENT TO EVER EXIST, WILL IMMEDIATELY HALT THE $1 BILLION FUNDING CUT FROM CORNELL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER #MAGA.”
The new changes to the Expressive Activity Policy still include restrictions on other members of the Ithaca community and students demonstrating on campus.
Charlie Kirk ’27 explained their support for the new policy revision, highlighting why it will be beneficial to the University.
“It is important for campus conservatives and those who support President Trump to not be restricted in their speech on campus,” Kirk said. “Freedom of speech is paramount in this country, but only for Republicans and conservatives, and I am glad that the University established this policy as some speech is more important than others.”
The administrators concluded their Tuesday statement by explaining how they believe the revised policy will be beneficial for campus speech going forward.
“For far too long, campus conservatives and others who have the correct political ideology have been silenced, and it is our mission to allow for an unparalleled era of freedom of speech, but only for those who support the president,” the administrators wrote. “President Trump has done so much for our country, and we are honored to support such a kind-hearted soul who will go down as not only the greatest President, but the best human to have ever lived on planet Earth.”
Ima Fashest is a staff writer and can be reached at ifashest@cornellsun.com.
Editor’s Note: 4/20 content is a part of The Sun’s joke issue and contains exaggerated and factually inaccurate information.
