University of Virginia Library

Ousted Demonstrator Sues VPI

United States Circuit Court
Judge John D. Butzner Jr. entered a
temporary injunction against Virginia
Polytechnic Institute Tuesday
ordering the school to readmit a
student who had participated in a
protest demonstration.

Thomas J. Saunders, an honors
student at VPI, was denied readmission
to the school for his participation
in a protest at the school on
June 7. VPI refused readmission to
Mr. Saunders on the basis of its rule
that bans "non-matriculated students"
from participating in school
protests. Mr. Saunders had been
involved in a protest of the
appearance of General William
Westmoreland at the ROTC commissioning
exercises held at the
college.

Mr. Saunders, who had voluntarily
withdrawn from classes for
one quarter, is being represented by
the American Civil Liberties Union.

Mr. Saunders is challenging the
constitutionality of the VPI ruling
on the grounds that the rule
violated his right of freedom of
speech as guaranteed by the First
Amendment of the Constitution.

Mr. Saunders' case, which was
decided in favor of VPI by the
District Court in Roanoke, is now
on appeal before the Fourth Circuit
Court of Appeals. Until the case
comes to court on October 8, Judge
Butzner has decided that the school
should readmit the student.