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Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024
The Eagle

Staff editorial: Sorry, guys: NCOR's speech is also free

For the last seven years, the National Conference on Organized Resistance has been held at AU. This year, AU students opposed to the conference have organized to create an online petition at www.stopncor.com, stating "I am both embarassed and disgusted that my institution of higher learning has hosted such a motley melange of second-rate fanatics, pornographers, and terrorists" and calling for the Board of Trustees to cease support of the organization. At press time, 218 students had signed the petition.

While some of the petitioners' complaints are valid (conference participants have damaged university property, though the conference says it paid for the damages and is instituting a strict code of contact for this year's conference), most of their complaints just aren't fair.

The timing of the conference over spring break (which protesters say prevents them from attending) was a university decision, probably based in part on complaints that previous conferences interrupted university life.

Petitioners also disagree with student activity fee money being used to fund the conference, and argue that NCOR receives more funding than most clubs. AUCC money is used to fund groups from all across the political spectrum, and NCOR receives as much money as it does because it puts on a large, student-run event. Few other clubs take on such a large annual endeavor, or such arduous budget planning, and are funded accordingly.

Some of the pettiest complaints regard NCOR participants' alleged bad smell. In reality, any group of 2,000 people crammed in a space as small as Mary Graydon Center for an entire weekend is going to smell, whether it includes political activists, fraternity brothers or competitive athletes.

The most complaints, however, regard some of NCOR's workshops and speakers. It's true that every AU student might not agree with all of the topics presented at the conference. But then again, all NCOR participants might not agree with all of the College Republicans' (or College Democrats') activities, or the Students for Life annual demonstrations on the quad. We all have a right to represent our views, and should respect the right of others to do so as well.

Even though the petitioners' complaints largely amount to attempts to stifle free speech and the exchange of ideas, at least they are taking a more professional and appropriate response than some people did last year (it involved spraying Lysol, and was downright disappointing). After all, we should be proud of being politically active, no matter what the ideology.


Section 202 hosts Connor Sturniolo and Gabrielle McNamee are joined by fellow Eagle staff member and phenomenal sports photographer, Josh Markowitz. Follow along as they discuss the United Football League and the benefits it provides for the world of professional football.


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