Controversy
The Lanthorn has been involved in several controversies over its history, including a First Amendment lawsuit when the Ottawa County, Michigan sheriff's department closed down the newspaper in 1969 for printing several vulgar words. GVSU sued the sheriff, and eventually, the Michigan Attorney General sided with the university in order to settle the case before it reached a court.
In 2008, a new county-wide smoking ban was established, which prohibited smoking within 25 feet of building entrances. When the Lanthorn questioned school officials about ash trays kept at building entrances, which defied the ban, the newspaper was told, "As it relates to this ordinance, Grand Valley State University is subject to its own jurisdiction pursuant to the Michigan Constitution. In other words, we are responsible for making our own smoking policies." After additional stories and follow-up that led to state-wide publicity on the matter, Grand Valley State University eventually created a forum to implement new smoking policies.
Read more about this topic: Grand Valley Lanthorn
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