THE ISSUE: The Free Expression tunnel has come under scrutiny this year after people wrote offensive comments in it on two occasions.

OUR OPINION: The Free Expression Tunnel is a place to freely express oneself.

THE SOLUTION: Students should appreciate the Free Expression Tunnel and take responsibility for it, at all times.

The Free Expression Tunnel has seen a lot of controversy this year. Four students wrote racist and threatening comments about President Barack Obama Nov. 5 and a person or people wrote offensive comments about the late women’s basketball coach Kay Yow and breast cancer on a mural dedicated to Yow in late January

Chancellor James Oblinger created the Campus Culture Task Force Committee to “review the campus climate, examine student conduct and explore potential guidelines for use of the Free Expression Tunnel and the Brickyard,” in response to the Nov. 5 incident, according to its Web site.

Oblinger’s decision to create the task force represents the importance the University places on the issue of free speech.

It may seem like the Technician is beating a dead horse, but we, as students and members of the Wolfpack community, must discuss what, if anything, should happen to the tunnel. As long as the Free Expression Tunnel exists, people will disagree on whether it should remain completely free or have boundaries.

The Technician believes the Free Expression Tunnel was mandated to allow students to express themselves, without the fear of censorship.

But those who choose to use the tunnel must realize free expression is an unalienable right, but having the Free Expression Tunnel is a privilege.

Students should understand the tunnel is something they should cherish because a very special few campuses have a place where students can express themselves like this.

Having the tunnel and being able to write whatever you want, with the exception of personal, viable threats, is a tradition. Writing or drawing things just to get a rise out of people is immature, albeit legal.

And if you are offended by something in the tunnel, then paint over it. In fact, you can paint over anything you want. Look for offensive statements, tell your fellows students and take action and paint it over. The tunnel was created for students, even though everyone can express themselves in it, and students should be the ones who monitor what is in it.

Free speech is not easy to handle, and you have to be mature enough to realize in a place like the Free Expression Tunnel, all opinions matter. There will always be people whose opinions will infuriate the majority.

The University is privileged to have the Free Expression Tunnel, but it must realize it cannot be taken away. It is here and painting in it is a tradition, so students should keep it a respectable place.