Associated Students of Madison members advocating a larger student section on behalf of their peers were unfairly silenced at the Tuesday night University of Wisconsin men’s basketball game against Illinois. Security guards confiscated fliers distributed by ASM members who were attempting to protest the size of the Kohl Center student section.

Not only does the incident demonstrate the ignorance guards have for NCAA regulations, it also shows a disregard on the part of athletic officials for student activism. Fliers used fell within the rules the NCAA holds for posters at athletic events. ASM Visibility Blitz Coordinator Jeff Wright called Kohl Center officials prior to the game to ensure the planned protest would not violate any rules. Those officials with whom he spoke ensured him any fliers equal to or smaller than 8.5-by-11 inches and not containing any obscenities adhered to NCAA regulations and could be displayed.

However, the signs were wrongly taken from protesters during the game. Once Wright and other students complained to officials, they were told the fliers could not be handed back after the game had started, even if they were unjustly confiscated.

It is unfortunate student government officials working on behalf of UW students were thwarted without reason in their efforts. Athletic officials should have a larger respect for NCAA rules and regulations governing student protest at athletic events before arbitrarily confiscating signs and fliers.

We hope the Athletic Department will formally apologize to ASM for the incident, and in the future be more respectful to students challenging decisions and norms surrounding athletic events. Although the Athletic Department is a huge and important revenue producer for UW, officials need to keep in mind the department is a subsidiary of the university, which exists for the benefit of the students attending it.