DePaulia (DePaul University, Chicago, IL), 1986-04-04

              Volume 64 Number 18 By Lisa Milam Associate editor A recent overturning of a speakers committee decision to invite Eleanor Smeal, national director of the National Organization of Women(NOW), to speak at DePaul has sparked controversy among administration, faculty, staff and students. The decision, handed down by James Doyle, vice president for student affairs, received heated criticism from various members of the university community. A FORMAL INVITATION WAS EXTENDED TO Smeal by the Speaker Series committee, a group of faculty, students and staff set up to plan a series of speakers at the university. Smeal accepted the invitation and was to come on campus in May. But Doyle later informed the committee that Smeal was not approved to come to DePaul, specifically because of her support for the pro-choice position on abortion. Smeal's stance on the issue, Doyle noted, is contrary to the Catholic church's position and therefore not in accordance with the formal mission of the university as a Catholic institution. "Eleanor Smeal presented a problem," Doyle said. "She would NOT be approved forfunding from the university. She has been a strong advocate of prochoice, and has been very actively involved in advocating this position. DePaul, being a Catholic university with a strong mission statement, [wili not allow her to speak here.]" A number of faculty members, however, see the decision as an infringement on academic freedom. Wednesday the faculty council voted unanimously in favor of a motion set forth by Dr. Larry Bennett, associate professor and chairman of political science, condemning Doyle's actions and his argument on the basis of the university's mission. "I don'tthink Jim Doyle hasa hotlinetowhatthe mission of the university is," Bennett said. "A university should support the open discussion of public issu6s" BENNETT'S MOTION STATED THAT THE VICE president's decision was inclearviolation of academic freedom, and cited the Policy Documents and Reports of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in support of the faculty position. The motion also included a section of the Joint Statement of Rights and Freedoms of Students, a document endorsed by the AAUP, U.S. National Student Association, Association of American Colleges, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and National Association of Women Deans and Counselors. The document states: "Students should be allowed to invite and to hear any person of their own choosing. Those routine procedures required by an institution before a guest speaker is invited to appear on campus should be designed only to insure that there is orderly scheduling of facilities and adequate preparation for the event, and that the occasion is conducted in a manner appropriate to an academic community." Dr. John T. Leahy, associate professor of religious studies, is the former head of the DePaul chapter of the AAUP and member of the faculty council that passed the motion. "It is a question here of academic freedom, which is crucial to the academic profession," he stated. "It is one of the bases of the profession. It is not based on opinions, rather, it is a foundational part Did New York survive the DePaulia? Controversy swirls around decision "I don't think Jim Doyle has a hotline to what the mission of the university is. -Dr. Larry Bennett The DePaulia of the profession. That is how everybody (on the council) saw the issue." Faculty voting at Wednesday's meeting were Elliot Abramson, College of Law, Dr. John Ahern, accountancy, Dr. Jurgis Anysas, chemistry, Dr. Larry Bennett, political science, Dr. James Diamond, economics, George Flynn, School of Music, Dr. William Hayes, economics, Dr. Joan Lakebrink, School of Education, Dr. John Leahy, religious studies, Janet Messmer, Theater School, Dmitry Paperno, School of Music, and Dr. Cornelius Sippel, history. DOYLE WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE Motion. He did cite the university's faculty handbook, specifically Article IV on Academic Freedom, in support of his position. "Academic freedom carries with it an obligation," he stated. "Regardless of what our personal beliefs are, we have an obligation as an institution. "We [administrators] reserve the right to deal with academic freedom in accordance with DePaul as a private institution," Doyle continued. "We're not trying to deny students the opportunity to hear opposing viewpoints. But we want this within a context that is balanced." In response to the AAUP stance on academic freedom, Doyle noted that while portions of the association's policy are recognized, "the AAUP has issued guidelines before that the university is not necessarily in agreement with." Rev. John T. Richardson, C.M., university president, espressed full support of Doyle's decision. "I know what is happening and I support it. The decision was Mr. Doyle's, and I agree with his decision." DISAPPROVAL OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE move, however, was not limited to faculty. Maureen Ryan, Student Association president, also spoke against Doyle's position on the matter. "Of course you want to invite people who will support the values of the university. However, part of the educational experience Is to be exposed to persons of various political, and religious beliefs and cultural backgrounds. [Former mayor] Jane Byrne spoke here in 1983, and to the best of my knowledge she is pro-choice. "If a person has a belief, you don't invite or disinvite someone on the basis of one particular belief, but rather on the grounds of what they will contribute to the educational process. It's important for young adults to be exposed to individuals who are influential in American society. And NOW has been instrumental in making changes. "I'm not condoning abortion or pro-choice. I'm just supporting a person who is influential in society to come speak here. I don't think restricting her from campus is an optimal position from the students' viewpoint. "The university hires as faculty people of different ethical, religious and political backgrounds as a commitment to expose students to different opinions. We do not prohibit faculty from conducting a class in a manner that may be contradictory to the Church. My question is, 'Are we being consistent?"' THE ISSUE IS OF DIRECT CONCERN TO THE student body, in that funding for the speakers series programs was generated from the recently instilled student life fee, an added student charge intended to curtail operating costs and improve student life. roundup Continued on page 3 April 4, 1986 Georgette Dooley, new assistant director of career planning and placement, takes a moment to speak with a participant in the College of Commerce Career Day, entitled Career Directions, yesterday. Photo by Joe Kinsella, photo editor DePaul's alcohol policy reviewed By Mary Litsikas Associate editor Alcohol. It is an issue all of society must deal with, and it is an area that colleges and universities need to inspect very carefully. IN RESPONSE TO THE ON-GOING CONCERN ABOUT ALCOHOL, Cindy Summers, director of student life, asked that a task force be established to review and make recommendations concerning DePaul's stand on alcohol policies and education. Christine Grgurich, associate director of student programs and organizations, and Walt Perry, director of residence life, are the chairs of the Alcohol Task Force (ATF) which began its work in October of 1985. "Alcohol is a big issue among student affairs staffs everywhere," said Perry. "I don't perceive that DePaul has a'big' problem with alcohoJ, but it is an area that needs attention," added Summers. Because they wanted to gain as much insight as possible and explore as many points of view as appropriate, Grgurich and Perry assimulated many different people from the various areas of the university including students, faculty, and staff. "We felt we had a good representation on the task force," said Perry. GRGURICH, PERRY, AND SUMMERS STRESSED THAT ATF IS simply a recommending and reviewing body. "We weren't looking to change anything at that point, but to assess," said Summers. Once ATF was organized it focused on two aspects of alcohol consumption within the university—policies and education. Among the interests represented were Greek council, Mary Arginanas the sociology department, Therese Baker residence halls, David Kabliska, Andrea Lanctot, and Jim Giovannini risk management, Rev. Frank Harden nursing, Glenda Kantor Stuart Center night management, Mike Lazzari athletics, Mike Lenti psychology department, George Marinakis and security, Tom West. As with any organization, not all of those asked to be on the ATF were able to meet this commitment, said Grgurich. In some cases it was scheduling conflicts and in others it was an apparent lack of interest, she added. "MEETINGS WERE NOT SUITED FOR STUDENTS-MORE FOR faculty and staff," said Lazzari. He added that scheduling conflicts would most likely occur under any schedule established. Even though more faculty and staff attended the meetings than students, ATF"did a good job of addressing the issues," said Lazzari. After a substantial amount of discussion, guest speakers were brought in to express their individual areas of interest that were not directly represented. Presenations were made by Fr. Harden, legal liabilities Tom Finnegan, head resident at Clifton Hall, and Carol Kiernan, head resident at Corcoran Hall, alcohol use/abuse in residence halls and Rev. Thomas Croak, C.M., associate vice president of student affairs, alcohol-related student discipline cases and the Blue Demon Room Corporation. Continued on page 4