Morons at BC

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BC Heights

Student guide revised to allow scrutiny of events' content

Policy mandates balanced panels

By: Tom Wiedeman

Issue date: 10/16/06 Section: News

Questions of academic freedom are likely to arise again, now that the speaker policy in the Office of the Dean for Student Development's Student Guide has been revised to state explicitly that the University has the power to balance and even cancel speakers it finds are not "sensitive to and respectful of the Catholic heritage of the institution."

The new policy, which can be found on the ODSD Web site, states that "the free exchange of ideas is a principal value of the University," but a new passage in this year's guide says that "such freedom of inquiry is, however, not absolute and must be balanced by the University's obligation to adhere to the principals and values inherent in Boston College's identity as a Catholic and Jesuit institution."

"What we're trying to do is have clear guidelines and reminders that this is a Catholic and Jesuit University," said Dean for Student Development Robert Sherwood.

The policy represents another case of the Universities' recent progression toward emphasizing balance in sponsored events. For instance, an abortion rights advocate who represents a stance contrary to Catholic teaching would potentially need to be contrasted by an anti-abortion advocate.

"The provision on 'balanced views' suggests that we don't quite trust the intellectual capabilities of our students when we leave them to their own devices," said political science professor Jennie Purnell. "Based on my own experience as a faculty member, I believe that students are fully capable of realizing when they are hearing a one-sided presentation and of evaluating the merits of any particular argument."

John Hellman, vice-president of the GLBT Leadership Council (GLC) and A&S '07, said he saw a double standard in events that present a viewpoint consistent with Catholic teaching, but that did not present balanced views - such as the lecture by Michael Behe, a supporter of the intelligent design theory."We have to present both sides and go do the extra work to present both views," he said regarding GLC sponsored events. "Other groups on campus have the luxury to just go about planning their events."

The revision of the policy is meant to clarify the University's position on dealing with events that run counter to the Catholic-Jesuit teachings. Uncertainties in the policy, as it read last year, contributed to several controversies, particularly involving the sponsorship of events by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a group that advocates abortion rights and women's health issues. A panel on women's rights in light of Samuel Alito's appointment to the Supreme Court was originally cancelled because WHI, which is not recognized by the University because of its stance on abortion, could not sponsor events as an unrecognized student group.

The restriction was circumvented when the sociology department stepped in to sponsor the event, prompting Jack Dunn, University spokesman, to say at the time: "The University will review the sponsorship of all future events."

"We don't want to be involved in a perpetual tug-of-war with the administration," said Katherine Adam, a member of the WHI and A&S '07. "We'd like to work with them and not hide things from them. We're not trying to change policy, we just want to promote free speech and dialogue about reproductive rights issues.

The policy only specifically addresses speakers or events that are paid for with University money - namely, the student activities fee that funds many UGBC programs and other programs. Sherwood said even if University money was not used, however, "the expectations are the same in adherence to Jesuit values."

"It seems the new policy is intentionally vague in order to allow it to be selectively applied to specific, marginalized groups on this campus, such as GLBT groups, or supporters of abortion rights," said Nick Salter, member of the Global Justice Project (GJP) and A&S '07. "For example, I highly doubt that the University will equally apply this policy to supporters of the Iraq War, such as Sen. John McCain, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, or weapons manufactures. It is the subjective nature of this policy that makes it especially outrageous."

At other Catholic and Jesuit Universities, the policy on bringing speakers varies. At Notre Dame, "students and student organizations are free to examine and to discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. Notre Dame students may invite and hear any person of their own choosing," according to its policy. It also makes no reference to the school's Catholic heritage, or to potential limitations on speakers based on that heritage.

Marquette University, a Jesuit school in Milwaukee, Wis., has a policy similar to BC's. Its student guide states that "sponsorship of visiting speakers and public performers...will be considered in light of the educational purposes and the Catholic identity of Marquette University. In those cases where a program, film, or printed material is considered to be opposed to the mission of the university, there may be a requirement for the presentation of multiple points of view."

The approach taken by Georgetown University differs starkly with BC's revised policy. Its policy states that because of the "Catholic teaching that between faith and reason there can be no fundamental conflict" and the "Jesuit principles about putting the most favorable construction on your neighbor's argument...Georgetown's identification with the Catholic and Jesuit tradition, far from limiting or compromising the ideal of free discourse, requires that we live up to that ideal."

History professor Lynn Johnson agreed with that sentiment. "I think the review policy will have a chilling effect on academic freedom in the larger BC community - it's designed to promote self-censorship among students who will know that events they plan involving certain types of controversial speakers will likely be reorganized or cancelled. Despite the administration's nod to the importance of the free exchange of ideas, the policy is clearly injurious to the Jesuit tradition of free inquiry that is at the heart of the university's mission," she said.

Sherwood said that, to his knowledge, no events or speakers had been scrutinized under this new policy thus far this year.

Evidently some members of the faculty are ignorant of the Catholic identity of Boston College and what that exactly entails (Professor Purnell?). Could Dr. Behe have squarred off with, for example, Dr. Ken Miller? Sure, but that opportunity was missed last semester. There needs to be a distinction made between speeches dealing with speculative issues and those focused on moral questions. If those who dissent from the moral teachings of the Church are allowed to speak on campus, it can only be for the purpose of being shown that they are wrong. Anything else is poison to the students, many of whom clearly do not have the critical thinking skills needed to sort truth from falsity, right from wrong. I definitely do not trust the "intellectual capabilities" of BC's students, and who is to blame for this? Members of the faculty, take a good and hard look in the mirror.

Greater leeway can be given to those who are dealing with speculative issues, though if a scientist were to come to campus and preach materalism and naturalism, or deny the existence of an immaterial soul, or if a philosopher were to argue for the non-existence of God, strict application of the new guidelines would be appropriate.

Meanwhile, St. Columbkille is doing some major improvements to its school, with the partnership of BC and Cardinal O'Malley--in fact, this coming weekend there will be a reception after the main Mass (which the cardinal will be celebrating), with Fr. Leahy in attendance. So I ask again--given the sales of archdiocesan property to BC, and this partnership, does the Cardinal have a too chummy of a relationship with the college and the Jesuits to do what he needs to do with respect to reform? God will not be mocked, and weakness in leadership will bear its fruits, if Boston Catholics are not learning that lesson already.

The exercise of free inquiry, academic freedom, freedom of speech--all of these are subordinate to higher goods, including TRUTH and the COMMON GOOD of the university. If a proposition contradicts the teachings of the Church, no dialogue, discussion, or argumentation, no matter if it is "honest" and "sincere" or not, will be able to support that proposition. God trumps the weakness of the human intellect, and if teachers and students do not believe in that Faith has a normative role to play in guiding intellectual inquiry, while playing up the harmony between Faith and reason to justify unfettered inquiry and the disregard of authority, they should read Fides et Ratio. If they still disagree, having read this encyclical and the other relevant documents of the Church, they should leave for a non-Catholic college. Hell, if you really disagree with the changes to the policy, show some integrity and leave now, because those of us who agree with the decision are praying that the administration shows some backbone and adheres to it, for the sake of their souls. It's easy to protest if there are no repurcussions against you, and meanwhile you're drawing a nice big salary from the university.

University speakers policy: before and after

Boston College is a private institution founded to further the goals embodied in the Jesuit tradition of higher education. An essential element in the Jesuit tradition is an emphasis on the search for truth in an academic community. Since the search commands that the freedom of inquiry be protected, the free exchange of ideas is a principal objective of the University. Since the search for truth demands freedom of inquiry, the free exchange of ideas is a principal value of the University. Such freedom of inquiry is, however, not absolute and must be balanced by the University's obligation to adhere to the principals and values inherent in Boston College's identity as a Catholic and Jesuit institution.

To maintain an environment in which such freedoms can thrive, while at the same time being sensitive to and respectful of the Catholic heritage of the institution, the University administration reserves the right to review presentations funded by student activity monies. Such a review could result in necessary adjustments to require that balanced views be presented, postponement of the program for further discussion and review, or, in rare instances, cancellation of the program. In addition, in cases where the University may not be able to assure the adequate safety of either the University community or an invited speaker, Boston College reserves the right to reschedule or relocate the presentation or, in rare instances, to cancel the event.

Additions in bold
Deletions crossed out

Harvard Crimson: BC Requires ‘Catholic Perspective,’ Could Cancel Speakers

BC not listening to students on freedom

Heights Editorial Board

Posted: 10/16/06

The Issue: New speaker policy places restrictions
What we think: BC must listen to repeated complaints

We're tired. We, along with a majority of students, have clamored for our rights again and again. Our right to speak, our right to challenge, our right to listen, our right to learn, and our right to be students at one of the finest Universities in the country. We figure that $44,000 would buy at least buy us respect. Or a voice.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record of Aretha Franklin's classic hit, we're going to say yet again what we've said in over a dozen editorials: All we want is a little respect.

A revised policy in the Student Guide for inviting speakers - which states that "freedom of inquiry is, however, not absolute and must be balanced by the University's obligation to adhere to the principals and values inherent in Boston College's identity as a Catholic and Jesuit identity" - is at first seemingly small, but its implications and adherence to a recent trend are troubling.

The very fact that this change to the student guide was not made known to any students or student groups is upsetting in its lack of transparency. But more disturbing is that if the University knew students would be outraged with the new policy, the only reason not to publicize such a change, then it shows a deliberate attempt at ignoring the wishes and concerns of a large number of students.

Many of these policies seem to be coming down from the very top of the school, from University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J. on down. Though we have the utmost respect and admiration for Fr. Leahy and what he has done for the prestige, fundraising, and growth of Boston College, we feel that on this and many other issues he has been consistently out of touch with the current student body.

The Heights isn't pro-life, or pro-choice; creationist or evolutionary; conservative or liberal; Catholic or Protestant or Muslim or Jewish. The Heights is pro-knowledge, anti-complacency, and pro-discussion.

At a university like Boston College, Catholic teaching should be explained, celebrated, encouraged, and expressed in its fullness. Catholic teaching on abortion rights, the sanctity of marriage, and the morality of war should be professed - just as the Catholic practice of "disputation," or academic debate, and its historic role in the discussion and clarification of Catholic doctrine should also be encouraged on our campus. This requires that pro-abortion rights views, supporters of gay marriage, and the necessity of just war be professed with equal fervor.

Boston College professes to be one of, if not the premier Catholic university in the country. We believe it can and will be, but at this time, policies like this suggest an overemphasis on being Catholic at the expense of being a university. The two are by no means mutually exclusive and in combination the pursuit of being the premier Catholic university in the nation will ultimately push BC forward in a unique and positive way - if it is approached with appropriately and with an open mind.

If the University's goal is the formation of obedient, unquestioning, faithful Catholics, then policies like the revised speaker policy will move the University in just that direction. But if Boston College wants, as its students hope it does, to foster the growth of intellectual, inquisitive, and ultimately faithful Catholics, this policy is moving BC in the wrong direction.

As the broken record plays again, we are simply looking for Fr. Leahy and other administrators to listen to students on this point and to make this the last time we write about this topic.

This is what happens when the Jesuits get rid of their ideals and turn their colleges into a business enterprise. It all becomes about consumer choice and consumer rights. The editorial board does not seem to understand that the medieval disputation had its limits, and that the ultimate arbiter of discussion was the Tradition, not "pure Reason". Seriously, read Ex Corde Ecclesiae and stop whining about intellectual freedom, because it's clear that you have no grasp of the beginnings of wisdom. Another reason to disregard The Heights as a liberal rag that seeks to undermine Tradition. The philosophes and secret societies would be proud.

If the majority of the student body really consist of people who think like this, BC needs to reconsider its admissions procedures and perhaps think about whether they should get out of the education business, because it seems to be attracting people with the wrong goals in life. Better to be out of a job now than face Judgment after having done a shoddy job nurturing the minds and souls of students.

If the college wants to foster the faith of its Catholic students, it should clean up the Theology departments and take a look at its core curriculum. (Incidentally Prof. Cobb-Stevens is giving a talk tonight for the Lonergan Institute on the BC core curriculum:

Lonergan Institute News

The Lonergan Workshop presents...

JESUIT TRADITION AND
THE CORE CURRICULUM

Richard Cobb-Stevens
Philosophy Department, Boston College
Chair of the Core Curriculum Committee, 1992-present

Thursday, October 19, 7:00 p.m.
McGuinn 121, Boston College

I won't be attending, because really... I don't expect anything more than BS justifying the status quo and pluralism. It is unlikely that there will be admission, much less discussion, of the normative dimension of Faith. Why do I say this? Having heard certain comments made by Prof. Cobb-Stevens, this is what I would expect.

And people wonder why I don't think I would be able to get a job at most Catholic colleges or universities....

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