Liberal at Catholic Univ. of St. Thomas Says ´No´ to Pro-life ´Yes´ to Transgender Speakers
St. Paul, MN – The largest private university in Minn., the Univ. of St. Thomas, has refused to allow Star Parker, a pro-life black woman, to address students on campus about Planned Parenthood in a free and open presentation, even though the university
web site claims the Univ. of St. Thomas "educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely and work skillfully to advance the common good." A liberal administrator at the Catholic school, VP of Student Affairs, Jane Canney, is the gatekeeper who seems to be permitting extremist liberal points of view, but denying conservative opinions that are in keeping with Catholic teachings, even though St. Thomas is a dedicated and respected Catholic institution. School policy states that all points of view should be presented.
The school maintains a Center for Catholic studies. "The program was designed to engage students and faculty interested in a study of the Catholic intellectual tradition as a whole and how it shapes our understanding of politics, psychology, history, science, literature, theology and other aspects of contemporary culture,"
according to the school web site. The Catholic Church maintains a strong stand in opposition to abortion, so it is surprising to students that their university has banned nationally syndicated columnist Star Parker from a planned presentation on the campus. Parker was expected to speak on "The Origins of Planned Parenthood," which many students and members of the local community would like to hear.
Parker seems to be more than qualified to speak to the students at any college or university. She has testified before the United States Congress, has appeared as an expert commentator on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and other television programs. She is also frequently quoted in major national publications such as the Washington Times, Christianity Today, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and the New York Times. Parker is the author of three books, and runs a non-profit conservative think tank, CURE, organized to
"fight poverty and restore dignity through faith, freedom and personal responsibility." "Bringing Star to St. Thomas would not only be beneficial for all who hear her, but also enjoyable, educational, and a wonderful inspiration to our Catholic university,"
said a report in the independent student newspaper the St. Thomas Standard.
The article explains the many qualifications of Parker, and why students at the university would like to attend the presentation. The article was written by editor Amie Kieffer. The St. Thomas Standard along with the St. Thomas Students for Human Life, and the
Young America´s Foundation (YAF) are the sponsors of the lecture by Parker. Kieffer reported to the YAF that she and her sister Katie, founder of the paper, were told by Canney that any speaker sponsored by the YAF is not allowed on campus. Canney ignored efforts to obtain her reaction by phone or by E-mail for this report. The vision statement of the university says: "We seek to be a recognized leader in Catholic higher education that excels in effective teaching, active learning, scholarly research and responsible engagement with the local community as well as with the national and global communities in which we live."
Interestingly, liberal speakers at St. Thomas receive full support from the school´s administration and the Student Life Committee overseen by Canney. During the current school year, Canney has approved the appearances of outspoken liberal commentator Al Franken, as well as a transgendered activist, Debra Davis. It appears that Canney and school administrators may be ignoring their own policy regarding speakers at the school, which states: "Another factor governing speakers on campus is our concern that a wide variety of issues and viewpoints be given expression. We take pride in the scope and quality of programs on campus during the past years. The value of freedom in the classroom is reflected in the campus forum..."
Most schools have such a tight budget that they seek to find sponsors who will underwrite the cost of bringing informative speakers to their campus. Hundreds of lectures are given at colleges and universities each year that are sponsored by the YAF, but apparently Canney will not approve a speaker who is sponsored by YAF, although she has not responded to requests to confirm or deny this claim by students.
Young America´s Foundation sponsors more than 500 lectures annually featuring a wide array of the very best in the conservative movement, including John Ashcroft, Michelle Malkin, Dinesh D´Souza, Sean Hannity, Bay Buchanan, Ann Coulter, Star Parker, and many others.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ADDED April 10. 2008
The following statement was provided by Doug Hennes, Univ. of St. Thomas vice president for university and government relations:
"Commentator Star Parker was not invited to speak at the University of St. Thomas because two outside organizations would have paid her fees and the university would not have been involved in managing the event.
"The Young America´s Foundation and Conservative Student News Inc. offered to pay Parker´s fees and Students for Human Life, a St. Thomas student organization, agreed to serve as a co-sponsor and submit a request for free space.
"The university´s Student Life Committee, comprised of students, faculty and staff, considered the offer and chose not to approve it. "St. Thomas usually pays for speakers and performers who are sponsored by student organizations from a student activity fee fund. In turn, speakers and performers sign a performance contract that specifies fees and guidelines for the event. Parker would not have had to sign a St. Thomas performance contract if she were paid by outside organizations.
"In addition, the university was not comfortable in allowing the Young America´s Foundation to be involved with the Parker event. The foundation paid for commentator Ann Coulter to speak at St. Thomas in 2005, and her remarks were considered highly inflammatory and disrespectful to the mission and values of the university."