Stanford University has barred College Republicans from including an image of the American flag on their club t-shirt — and they cannot present a valid reasoning for this rejection.
Could it be because liberals are offended by Old Glory?
The university alleges that an image of the American flag next to their school name is a violation under university policy, but have yet to announce which policy.
Standford College Republicans explained, “We find the idea that flags are off limits ridiculous,” the Stanford College Republicans told Fox News, “and especially the American flag shouldn’t be off limits.”
According to an email from the school’s copyright office, the club was told that the patriotic design did not meet their standards for use. The Stanford College Republicans financial officer, John Rice-Cameron provided a copy of the email from the copyright office to The College Fix.
Here’s exactly what Kara Hegwood, Standford University’s trademark licensing associate, said —
The College Fix
“Stanford does not approve the use of the American (or other flag) on product also featuring our trademarks (including the Stanford name),” wrote Hegwood.
Although Hedwood does point out the trademark guide to explain for denying the permission, but she does not at all mention any references to a flag in capacity.
(The College Fix
“We can approve red/white/blue themed product but cannot approve this design which features altered version of the flag in the background of the design, and within the initials for the organization name,” Hegwood wrote. “I note you feature a different design on your website – we would be able to approve that design on product.”
Hedwood mentioned that she would be able to approve the old logo to be used to the new t-shirts.
“I note you feature a different design on your website – we would be able to approve that design on product,” she wrote.
But, Rice-Cameron explained to The College Fix that he does not want to be forced to use the old logo.
“The logo is emblematic of our club,” he said. “It shows we are willing to boldly promote conservatism.”
The Standford College Republicans have been using the image of the elephant in front of stars and stripes on their Facebook page since October.
The College Fix
They had a plan to sell these shirts with the new logo to their members and anyone else who may be interested in purchasing. Rice-Cameron explained that his group needs the school’s approval for the shirts with the new logo to be printed, and he is not willing to use the old logo as suggested by Hedwood.
“I’d like this design to be it,” he said of the new image.
–Kylie Handler is a news editor for The Horn News