[Peace-discuss] University censorship

[C. G. Estabrook]

[The "University of Nebraska-Lincoln" joins DePaul and Columbia (to mention just 
some recent examples) in forfeiting any right to call itself a university.  It 
shows how successful the taming of universities by US rulers has been that such 
behavior (which certainly existed) would I think have caused an outcry a 
generation ago; the Free Speech Movement at Berkeley began more than 40 years 
ago. --CGE]

	Published Saturday October 18, 2008
	University cancels speech by Ayers
	BY HENRY J. CORDES AND KHRISTOPHER J. BROOKS
	WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITERS

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln rescinded its speaking invitation tonight for 
1960s radical-turned-educator William Ayers.

Just 11 days after next month’s election, the University of Illinois-Chicago 
professor, William Ayers, is scheduled to speak at a student research conference 
held by the UNL College of Education and Human Science.

University officials cited "safety reasons" for canceling Ayers' Nov. 15 appearance.

Spokeswoman Kelly Bartling declined to elaborate on what safety concerns would 
keep Ayers from addressing a College of Education and Human Sciences event.

Earlier today, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman strongly condemned the invitation and 
called on the NU Board of Regents and President J.B. Milliken to block it.

Heineman said through a spokeswoman this evening that he was pleased the 
university had reconsidered and rescinded the invitation.

An Omaha charitable foundation had announced it was pulling all of its 
contributions to the university. Several other donors also have indicated to 
university fundraisers that there could be a financial cost if Ayers speaks.

And Nebraskans by the hundreds continued to register their opposition with 
university administrators and others, lighting up phone lines and filling e-mail 
boxes.

Heineman said Ayers' invitation was "an embarrassment" to the state and that it 
goes beyond the bounds of the university's mission.

"Our citizens are clearly outraged and want action," Heineman said in an 
interview. "This is their university. This isn't even a close call. The 
university should immediately rescind the invitation."

Dean Marjorie Kostelnik said she spoke Thursday night with UNL Chancellor Harvey 
Perlman about "the climate around this issue."

She said she also has spoken with representatives of Milliken's office.

Other public officials weighed in about Ayers on Friday, a day after the UNL 
speech was announced.

Both Sen. Ben Nelson, a Democrat, and Rep. Lee Terry, a Republican, called for 
cancellation of the speech.

"The invitation made to William Ayers to speak at my alma mater in the midst of 
a heated national election when he is such a highly controversial figure is an 
outrage," Terry said.

Nelson said the visit would not promote the unity now needed in the nation.

Attorney General Jon Bruning also said UNL made the correct choice.

"I think its good news for the university," he said. "I dont think there was any 
good way for the university to disassociate itself with his past."

State Auditor Mike Foley sent the university a long request for information on 
Ayers' trip, its planning and how it is being funded. UNL officials have said 
Ayers' appearance would be privately funded.

Ayers was a member of the Weather Underground, a radical group that staged 
domestic bombings to protest the Vietnam War. Ayers was charged with conspiracy 
to incite riots, but the charges were dropped because of misconduct by prosecutors.

Ayers went on to gain respect in the education field and become a scholar known 
for his ideas on school reform. At UNL, the plan was for him to limit his speech 
to graduate education students to that topic.

The invitation to Ayers was extended in February, long before he became a 
household name in this year's presidential election because of his ties to 
candidate Sen. Barack Obama through their shared work a few years ago with a 
school reform effort.

The Gilbert M. and Martha H. Hitchcock Foundation in Omaha told the university 
Friday that it would halt all contributions to the university unless the UNL 
education faculty rescinded Ayers' invitation. The foundation has given millions 
to the university in the past.

While other donors haven't been as explicit, Clarence Castner, who leads the 
University of Nebraska Foundation, said it became clear that other contributions 
were "in jeopardy."

Scholars said a decision to pull an invitation to Ayers could be seen by 
educators nationally as a school-sponsored curb on academic freedom.

It would make UNL a less attractive school to the faculty members it seeks to 
recruit, said David Moshman, a UNL education professor writing a book on 
academic freedom.

Heineman said Friday that "there is no way" the university should lose 
contributions over Ayers. There are plenty of other respected educators the 
university could invite to speak, he said.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10463012

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