discuss issues of censorship
By JASON McFARLEY
Assistant News Editor
Representatives on Tuesday addressed an "active censorship" at Notre Dame and faculty involvement in student extracurricular affairs — issues they plan to bring before organizers of the University's new Advisory Committee on Academic and Student Life (ACASL).
The discussion followed senate correspondence to Notre Dame provost Nathan Hatch and vice president for student affairs Mark Poorman. A Nov. 21 letter drafted by the senate's student affairs committee requested a meeting in January with the ACASL co-chairs to "discuss issues we think could and should be addressed" at the group's earliest meetings.
In a Dec. 1 letter, Poorman replied that the ACASL, whose members have yet to be appointed, will convene early next semester. "After the committee has had the opportunity to meet, Nathan and I would welcome the chance to discuss with you issues which [you] think [we] ought to consider," Poorman wrote.
On Tuesday, faculty senators took steps to designate what some of those issues should be.
Among the concerns was what English professor Stuart Greene called an "active censorship" involved in University policy.
Greene cited controversy surrounding the Women's Resource Center (WRC) as evidence against a free academic environment. In April 1998, the University placed the center on probation following sanctions for distributing information on abortion.
While the student-run WRC has since been taken off probation, Greene told senators "we could do more if the WRC wanted us to … if students wanted us to."
According to Susan Roberts, the student delegate to the faculty senate, student organizations in particular "walk a fine line" when it comes to issues of free speech at Notre Dame. The senior said it's important that Hatch and Poorman make clear a distinction between unacceptable actions and free discussion in the University community.
"Issues such as the WRC make me feel that discussion isn't allowed sometimes," Roberts said.
In the classroom, however, senators agreed that the free exchange of ideas is something the University should not compromise.
"One rule applies to student organizations and another to classrooms," said philosophy professor Ed Manier. "I feel like if I didn't sometimes raise questions as to the validity of the moral teaching of the Catholic Church, my teaching wouldn't be worth a thimble of spit."
Manier cautioned his colleagues that they not seek to erode the Catholic character of the University but rather advance a community conducive to unobstructed learning.
Members also expressed interest in becoming more involved in student affairs outside the classroom. Manier said it's important that the senate promote activities to "complement and deepen faculty involvement in aspects of student life essential for the academic mission of the University."
Proposed means of involvement included increased faculty representation in judicial hearings and other administrative matters.
In other senate news:
Student body president Brian O'Donoghue told the senate that the student focus groups he has recently conducted indicate a lack of concern for students by professors.
O'Donoghue said most undergraduates advocated increased student-faculty involvement.
Greene said he is working on a student senate subcommittee to address inconsistencies in the way the University Honor Code is applied.
"We're working to ensure that it is applied consistently across departments and colleges," said Greene, the faculty delegate to the student senate.
Greene said informal talks with students show that a large amount of cheating on exams takes place.
He said there should be a single administrative body through which all cases of alleged Honor Code violations are handled.
All News Stories for Thursday, December 7, 2000
