The George-Anne has confirmed that the freedom of expression policy was violated earlier this year when an Evangelist was led to the designated public forum area during the ‘Boro Browse, despite being denied prior approval.

According to email records obtained, Dr. Richard Suplita, a self-described Evangelist, Apologist, Open-Air Preacher, Former Atheist Neuroscience Professor, and co-founder of “As A Former Atheist Inc.”, attempted to reserve the space on Jan. 23 for Jan. 29 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Georgia Southern’s Freedom of Expression Policy lists the designated public forum as the area “between the Russell Union and Williams Center”. Policy states “persons not affiliated with the University are free to express their views orally, by sign or exhibit, on any topic in the Designated Public Forum Area”. The policy goes on to say “Designated Public Forum Area Request Forms must be submitted at least forty- eight (48) hours in advance of the activity. This advance notice allows the University the opportunity to avoid simultaneous or competing assemblies/demonstrations and to arrange for adequate staffing.”

Russell Union Reservations responded to his request by saying: “Unfortunately, the public area forum is already booked for this upcoming Wednesday. Is there a different day that works for you?”.

Student Union Facilities & Event Services Director Bridget Eubanks confirmed the group was denied access to the area due to a previous space reservation.

“The [freedom of expression] policy was in place on January 29th. There were two requests for the public forum area on January 29th, so one was denied,” Eubanks said. “The approved reservation was made 48 hours in advance and the policy is shared with the outside organization.”

Despite being denied access to the public forum area, Dr. Suplita and his colleague were seen on campus during the ‘Browse. Multiple vendors were tabling along the Rotunda and pedestrian walkway while Suplita stood outside of the designated public forum area in the pedestrian walkway outside the Williams Center. Suplita spoke to multiple students while holding a sign that read, “ABORTION IS MURDER”, “EVOLUTION IS A LIE”, “THE BIBLE IS 100% TRUE”, “LGBTQ+ IS A SIN”, “JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO GOD”.

Dr. Shay Little, the Vice President for Student Affairs, was then seen approaching the two men and guiding them to the designated public forum area, which was already occupied by a group that previously reserved the space. Once in the public forum area, the two men continued to display the sign and speak to students.

After reviewing the freedom of expression policy and obtaining email records between Dr. Suplita and Russell Union Reservations, The George-Anne can confirm policy was broken.

We reached out to Dr. Little for comment.

“I do not know anything about this group nor was I aware they would be on campus January 29. I saw individuals on campus demonstrating and as I typically do, I asked two men if they were students or employees. They indicated they were not students or employees. I let them know they could be on campus but in order to demonstrate, they needed to use the public forum space. I walked with the group to that space to show them the public forum location. I failed to follow our process to check in with the Russell Union Info Desk to verify the status of the public forum area that day. As a public institution, GS is committed to freedoms of expression, assembly, and speech,” Dr. Little said.

We asked Eubanks how the freedom of expression policy is enforced on a day-to-day basis and the staff’s role in ensuring the policy is followed. “The space is monitored by staff during operating hours of the adjacent facility,” she said.

To read the full freedom of expression policy, click here.