Free Republic

University Begins Displaying American Flag in Classrooms By Randy Hall CNSNews.com Evening Editor September 12, 2003 (CNSNews.com) - The first American flag in a Florida state university classroom was unfurled at the University of Central Florida in Orlando on Friday afternoon as a result of an effort led by conservative students. "It's a great thing for UCF students," said Heather Smith, president of Rebuilding on a Conservative Kornerstone, or ROCK, a student-based group that has been working for months to have the flags placed in the school's classrooms. Smith said the national emblems are meant to show patriotism and support...

The request to place donated flags in classrooms at the University of Central Florida presents the University with two clear choices. We can accept the flags and proudly display them in our classrooms as symbols of the political entity that guarantees our freedom of speech, our right to dissent, the rights of political minorities, and our tradition of democracy. Or, we can decline the offer of the flags and by that act cede to one political group our national symbol, likely making it a pawn in ongoing culture wars between groups jockeying for momentary advantage in what is often a...

UCF Students Reject Plan To Fund Flags In Every Classroom POSTED: 4:50 a.m. EDT August 29, 2003 UPDATED: 8:46 a.m. EDT August 29, 2003 ORLANDO, Fla. -- Student leaders at the University of Central Florida have rejected a proposal to spend student fees to outfit every classroom with an American flag. But a campus group which pushed the $3,100 proposal vowed to continue the campaign to hang the national symbol in about 200 classrooms on the sprawling campus. "One way or another, they'll get in," said John Beamer, treasurer of Rebuilding on a Conservative Kornerstone or ROCK. The 26-year-old senior...

GAINESVILLE - To Adam Guillette, it's a simple show of patriotism. The 22-year-old senior, leader of a conservative group at the University of Florida, wants to mount American flags on the walls of all 382 classrooms, lecture halls and auditoriums on this traditionally liberal campus. Some students are offended, saying the flags would intimidate people who don't support the war in Iraq or the U.S. administration. Student leaders also are balking, saying Guillette did not follow proper procedures when making his proposal. Administrators suggest a single flag be erected on campus instead.

<p>A plan by a student group to install hundreds of American flags at the University of Central Florida is provoking a debate over whether the idea is an exercise in patriotism or political intimidation.</p> <p>Members of Rebuilding On a Conservative Kornerstone, or ROCK, have received the blessing of President John Hitt to spend up to $7,500 in student-government fees to place flags in every lab, classroom and auditorium on campus.</p> <p>The push is partly a response to faculty who opposed the war on Iraq, but mainly to show support for American troops at war, supporters say.</p>

Feb. 1, 2003 - The University of Central Florida has announced that the Sally Ride Science Festival will continue as planned from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. While the events of today have cast a deep sense of sorrow among all of us, Engineering Dean Marty Wanielista and Sally Ride have decided after careful consideration to continue this weekend's festival. "I believe the science and engineering community will join us in honoring these heroes by continuing our efforts to promote science, math and engineering to aspiring young women," Wanielista said. "This...