David McNicholas believed in the power of student journalism — the power to give voice to the unheard, to hold the powerful accountable, and to shine a light on issues affecting his community. But when he published student submissions criticizing school officials in his campus zine, the Young Warrior, the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) retaliated in the harshest way possible.
Initially, IAIA suspended David from campus housing, forcing him to live out of his van. Then, they put him on institutional probation, stripping him of an opportunity to work as an orientation leader — critical income for a student already struggling to make ends meet.
His supposed crime? Publishing concerns that IAIA administrators misused funds meant for campus food pantries — resources that many students, including David, rely on.
Let’s be clear: Criticizing school officials isn’t bullying. At a public institution like IAIA, it’s a right protected by the First Amendment. Free speech exists to ensure the powerful can’t silence dissent — especially in retaliation for exposing potential wrongdoing.
FIRE wrote IAIA on Jan. 2, asking it to “rescind any sanctions or restrictions on David, remove any notice of this disciplinary action from his record, and revise its anti-bullying policy to conform with the First Amendment.”
But IAIA refused to back down, claiming its sanctions on David are not subject to the First Amendment.
Though David’s housing has been restored, IAIA still refuses to remove the black mark from his record. He remains on probation, and his future remains clouded by a school that chose to punish him instead of listening to him.
David took a stand for his fellow students. Now, he needs your help.
Tell IAIA President Robert Martin to stop silencing student journalists. Email him today and demand that IAIA honor the First Amendment, remove the sanctions against David, and protect the rights of its students to speak freely.
Because no student should ever be left homeless for telling the truth.
