Notre Dame Controversy: A Potential Violation of Academic Freedom
Brooke Auxier
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: Features
In light of this controversial issue that is falling heavy on the shoulders of President Jenkins from Notre Dame University, he has support from Dean Marsden. Marsden is quick to agree that "President Jenkins is correct. He is not endorsing Obama's stance on social issues. He is honoring the man that is president of the United States who has accomplished a great deal."
It seems as though those who are against Obama's commencement appearance are against much more than his stance on social issues. As stated previously, Jimmy Carter, who supported pro-choice ideologies, and George W. Bush who enforced the death penalty as governor of Texas, both spoke at ND in years past, and no such controversy ensued their expected arrival.
Upon visiting Notre Dame's official website, one encounters a phrase that declares, "Notre Dame campus as a place where faith is treasured and diverse traditions shared and respected."
Marsden is confident about the decision of Notre Dame to invite Obama and is confident that the ideals of academic freedom would be upheld at our institution as well. He states, "This is a college. A place where people examine ideas, people test ideas and people challenge ideas. We can't do that if we isolate ourselves from the world."
It seems as though those who are against Obama's commencement appearance are against much more than his stance on social issues. As stated previously, Jimmy Carter, who supported pro-choice ideologies, and George W. Bush who enforced the death penalty as governor of Texas, both spoke at ND in years past, and no such controversy ensued their expected arrival.
Upon visiting Notre Dame's official website, one encounters a phrase that declares, "Notre Dame campus as a place where faith is treasured and diverse traditions shared and respected."
Marsden is confident about the decision of Notre Dame to invite Obama and is confident that the ideals of academic freedom would be upheld at our institution as well. He states, "This is a college. A place where people examine ideas, people test ideas and people challenge ideas. We can't do that if we isolate ourselves from the world."
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