The president of Duquesne University recently banned three proposed politically-oriented speakers - Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama and Rep. John Murtha - from addressing the university's law school commencement. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., addressed the law school commencement last year.
University President Charles Dougherty said these politicians would be inappropriate political speakers because they might offend someone or oppose Catholic doctrine. The politicans would be allowed to speak to students if the speech allows for question and answer time.
Compared to AU, which, though affiliated with the Methodist Church, does not have a strong religious identity, Dougherty's decision seems strong. If an AU official made such a decision, he or she would likely be castigated beyond belief.
Additionally, the ban applies to law school commencement. Those who have completed law school should be intelligent enough to form their own opinions about speakers' opinions and rhetoric without the paternalistic protection of the university administraiton.
On the other hand, Duquesne is a private university that students choose to attend, knowing that the university maintains strong ties to the church. An administrative decision made, at least in theory, to maintain ties to the church by protecting its ideology does make sense.
There seems to have been a trend over the last few years of private colleges banning speakers, particularly those with abortion views that contradict those of the university. The restriction at Duquesne, which limits speakers from both parties, seems moderate in comparison.
In the end, it's up to Duquesne students to demand change if they disagree with the decision. Law school students circulated a petition on Jan. 15, but that might not be enough.
