When a freshman at the University of New Hampshire arrived on campus he proudly displayed an American Flag from his dorm room window.
Conner MacIver sees a symbol of freedom, respect for our service men and women.
University officials see a broken policy and fear a slippery slope.
The school asked MacIver to take the flag down and adhere to a long-standing rule that prohibits objects from being suspended from dorm windows.
MacIver complied but, he’s not being quiet about it. He is taking his plight to University officials, fighting to put his flag back up.

“The flag represents our freedom, represents our constitution, the rights we have as Americans and what people fight for for those rights,” MacIver said, explaining that there is no American flag flying near his residence hall. “I really wanted to hang the flag so I could see that.”

University officials say the policy has nothing to do with restricting free speech.

“I understand the concern. I think that, again, universities are all about freedom of speech and we certainly revel in that as well but, there appropriate ways to do that and places to do that. He is obviously permitted to display his flag in his room.” said Scott Chesney, UNH director of residence life.

The policy at issue is part of the university room and board agreement, created in the 1980’s when students, bending to the lure of cable television, started running wires out windows and onto university roof tops.

“The policy basically is real cut and dry. You can not have anything on the exterior of the building or the adjacent grounds. It’s been in place for a long time,” Chesney explains, citing three key reasons. “Safety of students. Just decorum and the way the place looks and quite honestly we didn’t want to have inappropriate messages hanging from our windows. Obviously the American flag doesn’t fall into that category but, we can’t be choosey. If we allowed one we might be in a position of having to allow them all.”

“Our policy, by the way, mirrors that of the United States Naval Academy. I’m certain that there would be no other place that would be more supportive of the American flag than them.” said Chesney.

MacIver plans to push the issue in the spring when the offices of housing and residence life review policies, taking recommendations from the Student Senate into account, however, he’d like to see the University make an exception now.

“Ultimately, I’d like to be able to hang my flag up today. I would like UNH to say, you know what, it’s an American flag. You should be able to hang it up- go for it,” said MacIver. “I don’t see that happening, they haven’t budged yet and i don’t think they will budge and it’s not a matter of them not liking America or not liking the American flag, it’s just the policy.”

University officials welcome MacIver’s call to change the policy and say they’re happy to hear his arguments through the proper channels. Chesney says a change will not be made now because it would be akin to altering the terms of a lease mid-term.

For now, MacIver may have to show his American pride inside.