New Boston College Speaker Policy

Today's Chronicle of Higher Education reports:

Student groups at Boston College that invite speakers opposed to Roman Catholic doctrine can be forced to bring in another speaker who supports the church's teachings or risk having the event canceled altogether, according to a new policy.

The new policy was issued in response to a request last year by a student group to invite an abortion-rights advocate to the campus. The group was not officially recognized by the university, and the request was turned down. Administrators realized at the time, however, that the university did not have any explicit power over what kinds of speakers official student groups could invite, according to Jack Dunn, a college spokesman.

Under the new policy, "if a student group was recognized and wanted to bring in a pro-choice perspective, they would be allowed to do it," said Mr. Dunn. "All we ask is that they present the Catholic point of view as well."

Here's the text of the new policy, showing changes from the prior policy.  (You may have to register to access this.)

Lisa