Women’s Studies Organization, Feminist United, of Rhode Island College v. Rhode Island College records (MSS-0088)

Biographical/Historical Note

In 2005, Feminist United (FU), a student organization at Rhode Island College (RIC) received approval from Student Activities to post burma-shave signs along College Road. The signs read, “Keep Your Rosaries Off My Ovaries,” and were placed to coincide with a day of activism on women’s issues. Providence’s Bishop, Father Michael Najim, saw the signs on a visit to the RIC President’s House and requested President John Nazarian have the signs removed, which he did. The removal of the signs led to protests on campus, national news coverage, and a court case claiming the removal of the signs violated the students’ right to free press. The case went to trial in 2006, with the presiding judge finding the college at fault. RIC paid the student group $5,000.