Volume 116, Issue 5
the VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
ucentralmedia.com vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Ham Cries Free Speech, UCOSA Cries Bully Rescinded Offer Causes Controversy on Campus
In this July 5, 2015, file photo, Ken Ham, president and CEO of Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum, and Ark Encounter, speaks during a news conference in Williamstown, Ky. University of Central Oklahoma student body President Stockton Duvall said Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, the school cancelled a planned speech by Ham. (AP Photo/ John Minchillo File)
Christian Tabak @CaffeineWallace Reporter
Following the cancellation of a scheduled talk by Answers in Genesis founder Ken Ham, the University of Central Oklahoma’s Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Stu-
dent Center has denied claims that it pressured the UCO Student Association into cancelling the event. Initial claims by AiG identified objections by a campus LGBT group as having been the university’s reason for cancelling Ham’s visit to campus. UCOSA President Stockton Duvall
later clarified that the objections were raised by the Center and claimed that its members attempted to bully him into cancelling the event. “There was a passionate discussion, but there was nothing at all that was even close to bullying,” said Center Director Lindsey Churchill. “I
see it as student constituents asking their representative what’s going on.” Ham was originally scheduled to speak as part of UCOSA’s speaker series for the 2017-2018 academic year. The offer was rescinded earlier continued on pg. 3
THE HAM FILES
HUMOR COLUMN
Public Statements on the Controversy
Mnemonic Device for Valentines Rejection
on pg. 6
on pg. 15
2
Feb. 13, 2018
the
VISTA
Contents
CONTENTS
Ken Ham Jump.................................................................3-4 Contracts..................................................................5 Student Org. Statements....................................................6-7 University Statements............................................................8 Letter to the Editor...............................................................10 Letter to Duvall....................................................................11 Social Media Response...................................................12-13 Timeline...................................................................14 Humor Column...................................................................15
STAFF
Cara Johnson Elizabeth Spence Austin Moseley Regan Rosson Megan Thele Peter Agnitsch Christian Tabak Vy Luong Alejandro Gonzalez Evelyn Stewart Katie Standlee Jonathan Goudeau Dylan Brown Michelle Pennza Gerald Leong Ryan Naeve Teddy Burch
THE VISTA
is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.
EDITORIALS
Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Copy Editor Online Editor Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Reporter Sports Reporter Humor Columnist Design Editor Photographer Photographer Adviser
LETTERS
The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO:
Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista.ads@gmail.com.
Advertise with us! The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads. For information or questions contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
On the Cover: Left: As the University of Central Oklahoma’s first building, Old North is a staple of the community. UCO has been under fire by the media recently due to a controversy surrounding creationist Ken Ham after Ham accused the university of impeding his right to free speech. (Vista Archives)
Right: A drawing of a heart lays on a table. Humor columnit Dylan Brown gives readers advice on how to handle rejection this Valentines Day using a new mnemonic device. (Provided/Pixabay)
Ken Ham Jump
Feb. 13, 2018
3
Ham Cries Free Speech, UCOSA Cries Bully Continued From Page 1 this month after the event’s co-sponsor, Valid Worldview, decided to end its partnership with UCOSA during the discussions surrounding the Center’s concerns. These concerns focused on UCOSA using student activity fees to pay for Ham’s talk in consideration of his previous controversial statements on women and members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) community, according to Churchill. “There are too many students who are on this campus who are are already scared, who are part of the LGBT community. This is supposed to be a safe place for them, and to bring someone who is against them on campus, that’s an embarrassment to this campus,” said Mickayla Fisher, the Center’s reproductive justice coordinator. Ham, who founded the fundamentalist Christian organization AiG in 1994, has generated controversy for his tweets denouncing homosexuality as a sin and claiming the acceptance of same-sex marriage and transgender identities is a rejection of the Bible. He has also been the center of controversy over his promotion of Young Earth Creationism, a viewpoint that contends the Earth is approximately 6,000 years old and that the biblical account of Genesis is a scientifically accurate description of how life began. “The issue with this particular instance is that this was a religious organization who wanted a religious speaker to come speak on our campus, claiming it was beneficial for students on an academic level,” said Elisabeth Slay, a student researcher at the Center. While the Center asserted they had brought their concerns to UCOSA
through an open dialogue on Ham’s engagement as a speaker, Duvall claimed that the Center attempted to pressure him into cancelling the event during an approximately 30 minute meeting between himself and 12 Center representatives. Duvall said that when the meeting was arranged over the phone, he was initially expecting a meeting between Churchill and several of the Center’s student members in Churchill’s office. Instead, he said the Center attempted to use surprise and a show of force to bully him into adopting their stance on the matter. “It’s something that there was 12 against one, I do believe there is a problem there,” Duvall said. “There have been many people on campus that I have talked to about this, and they said that never should have been allowed.” According to both Duvall and the Center, the meeting focused on the Center’s concerns that there was insufficient representation from the student body on Ham’s scheduled talk for UCOSA to justify using student activity fees to pay for the event. Duvall explained that while student activity fees were involved in the process, funding for the event came through a specific account that was earmarked for events sponsored by the UCOSA executives. For each credit hour, students are charged a $14.25 student activity fee that contributes to the funding of student athletics, campus sponsored events, UCOSA and student organizations. While approximately 54 percent of student activity fees are allocated to athletics, approximately 35 percent is provided to UCOSA to divide into seven major accounts for campus organizations such as the Fraternity and Sorority Life Council as well as UCOSA’s Ways and Means Committee.
Ken Ham speaks to a crowd on creation. Ham has recently been a topic of controversy at the University of Central Oklahoma following a rescinded offer for him to speak on campus in March. (Provided/WikiCommons)
Of that 35 percent, approximately 18 percent is allotted to the UCOSA Executive Board to use for sponsored events. For these executive board funds to be used, a majority vote amongst UCOSA’s five executive board members is required, according to Duvall. The same account was used last semester to partner with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to pay for a talk by Little Rock Nine member Carlotta LaNier and with Leadership Central for Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez, according to Duvall. Ham, who was already scheduled to speak at Council Road Baptist Church in Bethany on March 4, was approached to be UCOSA’s last sponsored speaker for the 2017-2018 academic year on March 5. This
event would have been in partnership with the student organization Valid Worldview, a Christian apologetics group sponsored by Edmond’s Fairview Baptist Church. “While that may be the case with the funding, it still doesn’t change the fact that there are concerns over the amount of input the student body has in the use of funds for controversial purposes that their student activity fees pay into,” Churchill said. In the meeting, Duvall said he offered to ask Ham to refrain from discussing LGBT issues during his talk and offered the possibility of securing an additional speaker at the same cost as what UCOSA would have spent on Ham’s event. Duvall claimed the Center rejected these offers and that several mem continued on pg. 4
4 bers instead attempted to pressure him into cancelling the event. “There were eyerolls, there were people giving me looks, looking across the room and who said, ‘Can you believe he just said that,’ whenever I’m just trying to stay middle ground on this issue,” Duvall said. “And there were some people who got very emotional and I felt it.” Members of the Center denied that they attempted to pressure Duvall, but did admit they had hoped Duvall would cancel the event after listening to their concerns over the event’s funding and Ham’s threat to the LGBT community. “We did suggest that a contrasting speaker could be brought in or that the speaker could be changed altogether, but our hope was that Stockton would hear our concerns and decide not to have Ken Ham speak on campus,” Fisher said. “But at no time during this did we attempt to bully him into that.” While Duvall acknowledged that Ham’s stance on LGBT issues was controversial, he did point out that the focus of Ham’s talk was on his creationist viewpoint in contrast to evolutionary theory. Ham confirmed that he had no intention of speaking LGBT issues during his talk, although he did admit that he could not guarantee the topic would not come up during the event’s 45 minute question and answer session. “The entire focus of my speech was going to be on the science of creationism in contrast with the science of evolution,” Ham said. “While this would incorporate the Genesis truth that woman was created for man, that would have been the extent during the talk itself.” Duvall also cited concerns that cancelling the event over Ham’s controversial viewpoints could constitute a possible violation of freedom of speech and the right of student organizations to sponsor speakers of diverse viewpoints. “I want to be clear on this, free speech has to be free. Nobody should
Feb. 13, 2018 be forced to pay a member on our campus to come on and speak, anybody is allowed to come and speak on our campus for free,” Duvall said. “It’s one of those things that, as long as you have a student organization that will support you and invite you on campus, you are allowed on this campus.” Concerns over free speech were echoed by the Student Alliance for Equality. With initial reports from AiG citing objections from an LGBT student group as the cause for the cancellation of Ham’s event, SAFE President Rachel Watson said the organization had been misidentified and was not involved with the discussion. “We have always supported free speech on campus,” Watson said. “Without the right to free speech we probably wouldn’t be able to exist as an organization due to the historic discrimination against LGBTQ people, so we’re very much in favor of free speech and have had no involvement in opposing Ham speaking on campus.” While Watson did admit that SAFE shared concerns over Ham’s comments on the LGBT community and concerns over the transparency involved in bringing him to campus, she said that the controversy had created a false impression within the media that the entirety of UCO’s LGBT community supported the cancellation of Ham’s event. In a statement on the university’s continued dedication to promoting free speech and a diversity of viewpoints on campus, UCO President Don Betz also expressed concerns over media reports identifying the entirety of UCO’s LGBT community being involved. “While any reports of bullying will be and are being investigated, it is important to state that reports that the LGBTQ community prevented Mr. Ham from being invited to campus are inaccurate and unfair to members of our campus community,” Betz said. Betz also reiterated that UCO
stands as an institution that supports freedom of speech, including the expression of controversial viewpoints. While Betz acknowledged that concerns have been expressed over the use of student activity funds to pay for controversial speakers, he said that it would be difficult to avoid these concerns entirely with more than 200 student organizations on campus. “I’m sure there isn’t a single speaker that we could invite that
Ken Ham Jump somebody on campus would be wildly in favor of without someone having no interest in having that person come,” Betz said. “It’s just the nature of the diversity of our institution and the diversity of the subjects that we might address.” Although Ham is no longer scheduled to speak at UCO, his scheduled talk will be held at the same date at Fairview Baptist Church. Admission to the event is free, but seating is limited to the first 500 attendees.
University of Central Oklahoma Student Association President Stockton Duvall addresses attendees of the Nov. 6, 2017 UCOSA Congress meeting. Duvall has seen media attention lately due to a rescinded offer he had originally made to creationist speaker Ken Ham to speak at the university. (Photo Archives)
Contracts
5
Feb. 13, 2018
December 4, 2017 Stockton Duvall, Student Body President University of Central Oklahoma 100 N University Dr Edmond, OK 73034
Venue: University of Central Oklahoma Constitution Hall
Dear Mr. Duvall, We are excited about the opportunity you are providing to allow us to bring our ministry message to the university students, faculty and staff. Please accept the following bulleted summary of the speaking details that have been discussed: • •
• •
• • •
Editor’s Note: These contracts exchanged between Answers in Genesis and the University of Central Oklahoma have caused the most legal controversy since the Ken Ham event on campus was cancelled last week. While Ham and AiG claim a legal and contractural obligation to maintain the event, neither contract was entirely legally binding. The AiG contract was not signed by any university official who had the status to do so and was labeled as a statement of intent rather than an actual contract. The university contract was never completed due to AiG concerns about some portions of it. Phone numbers and emails have been redacted for the privacy of individuals.
Speaking date Monday, March 5, 2018.
Please see the proposed speaking schedule below.
Ken will be given 60 minutes of speaking time for the Presentation "Genesis and the State of the Culture" and 45 minutes is allotted for Question and Answer session. Dr. Terry Mortenson of Answers in Genesis will join Ken for the Question and Answer Session. Your permitting the sale of Answers in Genesis discipleship/outreach resources in a high traffic area before and after the session is appreciated and is a vital part of our equipping ministry. Five tables will be needed to display the resources. A group of volunteers is requested to assist with the sales and display. Ken will give a very brief resource presentation at the conclusion of hls talk. VGA connection will be needed for Ken to control his presentation from the lectern. The host agrees to a pay a $2,500 speaking fee plus reimbursement of travel, food and lodging expenses for the four member AiG team. ) a Coordinator who will work Thank you for appointing . These 's cell phone is ) of AiG. ( closely with individuals will ensure all logistic needs are covered for both the church and AiG.
Again, we are looking forward to our time with you and to the blessing God has for us all. If you would please review this summary for accuracy and acknowledge, by signing below and scanning it back to me, it would be Genesis website. appreciated. Once we have your approval, we will post the speaking schedule on the Answer Blessings.
Jason Nave, Executive Vice President Answers in Genesis
dt �&, Stockton Duvall
UCO Student Body President
****************************************************************************************** Speaking Schedule for Monday, March 5, 2018 6:30 pm -7:30 pm-Ken Ham presenting "Genesis and the State of the Culture" 7:30 pm-Break and Answer Session (Ken Ham and Dr. Terry Mortenson)
8:00 pm - 8:45 pm-Question
Answersf:nGenesis.org ! (859} 727·2222 I POBo..'{ 510, Hebron, KY 41048
6
Feb. 13, 2018
Student Org. Statements
Statement from UCOSA President Stockton Duvall Editor’s Note: University of Central Oklahoma Student Association President Stockton Duvall released a statement on his personal Facebook and Twitter accounts on Feb. 7 regarding the organizations decision to rescind offer to creationist speaker Ken Ham to speak on campus.
From the Office of the UCOSA President, I want to take time to address an issue that has recently happened on our campus. Last semester, UCOSA began contract negotiations to bring Ken Ham, founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis, as a speaker on our campus at the request of one of our student organizations. As with any of our events, we chose to run it by our administration. While it took some time to thoroughly discuss the intentions for the event, the administration gave us the approval to host it. As the contract was then reviewed, per standard process by the university’s legal office, word began to get out that Mr. Ham was speaking on our campus. Many members of our community expressed their concern with this. Many did this respectfully,
while some did not. We still continued with our message that this was a partnership with an organization on campus and we would not back out. This was the organization’s event and we were simply helping sponsor it. At the same time, we also shared these concerns with Answers in Genesis, in hope that the presentation could take them into consideration. As this dialog continued, the organization we partnered with chose to end the partnership on the Ken Ham event. I take responsibility that their decision was made, in part, due to a lack of communication on my part. At that point, the UCOSA Executive Board felt it was best not to move forward with the event due to uncertainty of what could happen at the event. I also was the main point of contact for the event from UCOSA, and would be unable to attend since I would be in Washington D.C. on that date. Ultimately, this was my call. This was not administration, faculty, or anyone else’s call. I want to be very clear on this, there have been members of our campus who have tried to bully me in making my decision. While none of these examples have involved any members of administration, there
is definitely something that must be done to address this issue. I am not the first person to be personally attacked by a very vocal group on
“I want to be very clear on this, there have been members of our campus who have tried to bully me in making my decision.” campus that has little tolerance for opposing viewpoints. The culture of allowing this group to bully both individual students and organizations on our campus ends now. I will not allow any more intimidation to be directed towards our campus community from this point forward. In the near future, I will be working with
administration to ensure that all of our students are protected from any bullying or intimidation tactics so we can move forward with supporting the free exchange of different ideas and perspectives. During this time, I also realized the level of support that exists on our campus. For every person that threw insults my way, I had five others encouraging me and continuing to support me. This support came from my peers, faculty, staff, and administrators whether they agreed or disagreed with my decision. From my perspective, this university has the most dedicated and caring community I have ever witnessed. I believe we will continue to support our students in the best way possible. I look forward to learning from this experience and working with our community to make our campus better place for the free exchange of different ideas and viewpoints. As always, Roll Chos.
Stockton Duvall, University of Central Oklahoma Student Body President
Statement from the Women’s Research Center Editor’s Note: The University of Central Oklahoma Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center released a statement on their Facebook page Feb. 8. Collectively known as the Center, the organization has received attention in the past week regarding the cancelled Ken Ham event on campus. The Center shut down the review section on their Facebook page Thursday due to negative comments and threats.
The Women’s Research Center / BGLTQ+ Student Center, through educational and social initiatives, co-curricular programming, leadership development, and advocacy, promotes active civic engagement with major public policy issues though free and open discussion. We are fully committed to ensuring free speech as the foundation for our academic mission. We believe that free speech includes to the right of speakers to express opinions with which others in the community may differ, as well as the right of community members to
challenge those positions; and to ask probing questions in the course of frank, open, and civil discussion; to seek thoughtful explanations of decisions that affect the community as a whole, including decisions involving the allocation of the community’s shared resources.
“We believe that free speech includes the right of speakers to express opinions with which others in the community may differ, as well as the right of community members to challenge those positions...” We reject bullying and intimidation in all of its forms as contrary to the values of our institution, and we conscientiously avoid bullying tactics and behaviors in our interactions with one another and with the
Students gather in the Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center in Thatcher Hall on Thursday, Feb. 8 following meetings regarding the events surrounding the cancelled Ken Ham event on campus. (Cara Johnson/The Vista)
communities that we serve. Our wide range of programming on public issues of concern and debate showcases our commitment to educating productive, creative, ethical, and engaged citizens and leaders who are prepared to serve our metropolitan community at every level. This commitment often requires us to engage in difficult conversations,
marked by mutual respect and a willingness to challenge one another in the course of free, open and respectful discussion. Participation in this lively public forum of ideas helps to shape students who are adaptable and engaged critical thinkers, are receptive to new ideas, celebrate the diversity of our region, and live fulfilling lives.
Student Org. Statements
7
Feb. 13, 2018
Statement from the Student Alliance for Equality Editor’s Note: The University of Central Oklahoma Student Alliance for Equality (SAFE) released a statement to the Vista Feb. 9 in response to media reports that an LGBTQ group on campus had opposed Ken Ham’s visit to the university.
Although neither the Student Alliance for Equality (SAFE) nor its members were participants in the discussion between UCO students and the President of UCO’s student government, recent news articles compel us to make a clarifying statement. SAFE is and will always be fully committed to upholding and safeguarding free speech. Freedom of expression includes the right of speakers to express opinions that may differ from others in the community, as well as the right of the community members to challenge those positions. Any individual affected by a governing body’s decision should have the right to ask probing questions in the course of frank, open, and civil discussion, and
The University of Central Oklahoma Student Alliance for Equality Logo (Provided/SAFE)
to seek thoughtful explanations of decisions, including those regarding the allocation of our student body’s shared resources. For almost thirty years, SAFE has promoted frank, open, and respectful discussion of issues of concern to LGBTQ+ students through educational and social initiatives, co-curricular programming, leadership development, and advocacy. In doing so, SAFE promotes free expression, civic responsibility, and a commit-
“...SAFE promotes free expression, civic responsibility, and a commitment to civil rights for all persons, remaining conscious that none of us are free until all are free.”
ment to civil rights for all persons, remaining conscious that none of us are free until all are free. We reject bullying and intimidation in all of its forms as contrary to the core values of our institution, and we conscientiously avoid bullying tactics and behaviors in our interactions with one another and the communities we serve.
Statement from Valid Worldview President Editor’s Note: While few media outlets have approached the Valid Worldview organization, president of the UCO organization, Kayla Leinneweber, prepared a statement to hand out if they were to be contacted by any news sources. The statement was written on Feb. 8 and given to a Vista reporter following an interview with the organization. As the leader of Valid Worldview, a Christian organization on campus, I was approached about finding a connection to get Ken Ham as a speaker on campus for a UCOSA event. I helped make the connection for the event. It’s my understanding that as the event received pushback, it would ease certain university leaders’ minds if Valid Worldview would cosponsor hosting Answers in Genesis, specifically Ken Ham, on campus. As an organization who has sponsored
faith-based events in the past, we had no problem with lending our logo and helping with the promotional efforts if it meant that the event would be more welcomed. However, as time went on and the event evolved, we were asked to take on more responsibilities despite the fact that no Valid Worldview representative was ever offered a seat at the decision-making table. Eventually, I was asked to have Valid Worldview pay for the promotion
Attendees of a Wednesday Valid Worldview meeting listen to a speaker. (Provided/ Valid Worldview)
of the event and told that UCOSA no longer wanted their logo on the promotional items. When I realized that what was meant to be a UCOSA event had turned into a Valid Worldview event without us having a voice in the decisions, I decided to end our partnership with the event and let it be solely a UCOSA endeavor, as it was meant to be from the beginning. After Valid Worldview was no longer attached to the event due to a lack of representation in the planning process, UCOSA decided to break their contract with Answers in Genesis. While I am disappointed that UCOSA decided to pull out of the contract with Answers in Genesis and disheartened to hear of the actions of certain faculty members in regard to this event, I think we can all use this as a great learning experience. It’s no secret that while Christians at UCO have been tolerated, they’ve not been celebrated to the same level or given as much favor as other groups on campus. I in no way think UCO is anti-Christian, but it’s apparent that there are some members of faculty and administration who are uncomfortable with topics related to the Christian faith. I should mention that while there are those on
campus who aren’t supportive of us, we also have great allies on campus who are true champions of ideological and religious diversity.
“It’s no secret that while Christians at UCO have been tolerated, they’ve not been celebrated to the same level or given as much favor as other groups on campus.” I call upon the members of all faith-based groups on campus to stand for the truth and their right to speak on campus in an intelligent and loving way. We love our university, but it seems that we all still have areas to grow in regards to our commitment to true diversity and inclusion. I, as a senior at this university, am still proud to be a Broncho and hope that we can all work together to move forward and learn from this experience. It is my prayer that we can work together to achieve a greater sense of strength and unity between the faith groups and the university.
8
Feb. 13, 2018
University Statements
Statement from University Communications Editor’s Note: Vice President for University Communications released a statement on Feb. 7 stating that the decision to rescind the offer originally made to Ken Ham rested in the hands of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Student Association Executive Committee, led by student body president, Stockton Duvall. The University of Central Oklahoma stands firm in its policy regarding freedom of expression. UCO is committed to fostering a learning environment where free inquiry and expression are encouraged while keeping the safety of our community a top priority. In the specific matter of Mr. Ham’s proposed presentation on campus,
the UCO Student Association (UCOSA)—which invited Mr. Ham to speak at UCO—made the decision, via a vote of its Executive Committee, to rescind the invitation. In a statement, the UCOSA president said there was some concern and pressure expressed to him by other students and student groups that influenced that decision.
The university may advise, but does not direct, the activities of UCOSA. In fact, in the spirit of the UCO policy on freedom of expression, the university President,
“The university may advise, but does not direct, the activities of UCOSA.”
Provost and the Vice President of Student Affairs supported and did not deny the proposal to bring Mr. Ham to campus to encourage conversation and debate of diverse perspectives. This was prior to UCOSA’s cancellation of the invitation to Mr. Ham. This experience reinforces our resolve to make our campus a welcoming environment for the civil expression of diverse thought. And, we will continue to support the student-centered culture we value and promote at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Statement from UCO President Betz Editor’s Note: A statement from University of Central Oklahoma President Don Betz was released on Feb. 8, following the attention the university received regarding the controversy between UCO and Ken Ham. The statement can also be found on the University Communications news page. Recent statements on social media and in the press have reported on the decision by the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association (UCOSA) to withdraw from negotiating a contract with Mr. Ken Ham of the organization Answers in Genesis. While we understand and appreciate the many points of view being provided on this topic, we wish to clarify for the community our view and practice of speech. The University of Central Oklahoma supports the democratic processes guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution by ensuring that all groups have the right to access a venue for free speech on our campus. We are a marketplace for the exchange of free ideas and we embrace the opportunity to do so. That’s what makes us free. As a public institution whose campus is public property, our doors are open to any who wish to express
their ideas so long as student and public safety is preserved. A variety of groups representing a full spectrum of ideas and opinions regularly come to our campus and speak freely, and we have public spaces for them to do so. That includes demonstrators that support a variety of sometimes controversial positions. Our campus community is composed of many people and organizations that offer various viewpoints on many topics. A diverse group of students posed questions about the decision to invite Mr. Ham to campus. While any reports of bullying will be and are being investigated, it is important to state that reports that the LGBTQ community prevented Mr. Ham from being invited to campus are inaccurate and unfair to members of our campus community. As we reflect on the conversation that has emerged during the past two days, we expect the outcome of that
University of Central Oklahoma President Don Betz poses for a photograph at his desk. President Betz released a statement last Thursday in response to the free speech controversy that has been circulating the school. (Vista Archives)
“No one has the ability, nor has UCO ever attempted, to limit free speech on our campus.”
discussion to only strengthen our resolve to remain the inclusive and diverse community we have become, and will remain, at UCO. No one has the ability, nor has UCO ever attempted, to limit speech on our campus. All who wish to freely express their ideas in a peaceful and civil manner, including Mr. Ham, are welcome to do so at the University of Central Oklahoma.
10
Feb. 13, 2018
Letter to the Editor
DEAR EDITOR, After hearing about how a biblical creationist, Ken Ham, was recently disinvited from speaking at UCO due to protests from the LGBT community, I was reminded of a relatively old (1991) quote from a well-known liberal attorney, author, and professor named Alan Dershowicz, who back then was so disturbed by the lack of respect for free speech in certain liberal circles he’s on record as saying: “Political correctness is the most serious issue on college campuses. We are tolerating, and teaching, intolerance and hypocrisy” (James Warren, “Drawing Laughs,” Chicago Tribune, April 14, 1991, section 5, p. 2). Things didn’t change much from 1991 by 2005. Indeed, the intolerance of the ever-so-trendy “politically correct” mob just seemed to have gotten worse (power may have gone to their heads). That motivated a libertarian syndicated columnist named Nat Hentoff to pen a piece titled “College no place for closed minds” (Chicago Sun-Times, Sept. 15, 2005, p. 45). Some of the points he made: 1) even some mainstream educational groups (which Hentoff lists) expressed concern about the widespread intolerance and hostility on many college campuses towards conservative speakers, ideas and values; 2) liberal college professors outnumbered conservative professors by a 5 to 1 ratio; 3) in some classrooms on various college campuses “conservative students are intimidated into silence, ignored or occasionally ridiculed” by narrow-minded liberals; and 4) “indoctrination---instead of free inquiry---... characterizes much of higher education.” According to an article in Washington Monthly magazine: “62.2 percent of professors self-identify as liberal, compared to 19.7 as conservative....9.4 percent of faculty members say they’re ‘extremely liberal’” (Kevin Carey, “Tenured Moderates,” Washington Monthly, Jan./Feb. 2010, p. 52). And according to an article in the New York Times: “It’s certainly true that professors are a liberal lot....[A]bout half of the professors identified as liberal, as compared to just one in five Americans over all....[Among academic] social scientists, for example, there were 10 Democrats for every Republican....There’s no doubt that in terms of overall curricular content and campus culture, most colleges and universities do skew more to the left than to the right” (Neil Gross, “The Indoctrination Myth,” New York Times, “Sunday Review” section, March 4, 2012, p. 12). Closed-minded, intolerant, ignorant liberal bigots who believe it’s okay to discriminate against conservatives and “politically incorrect” speech exist, and many of them are unfortunately found on college campuses, where they are using their influence to try to insinuate their questionable values into others. Hopefully students are aware of all the one-sided, liberal propaganda they are manipulatively being exposed to. (And hopefully they are aware that they are essentially paying for indoctrination in many cases, and are being cheated out of a decent education.) But I fear they are not. As noted above, this kind of sleazy discrimination isn’t new. On college campuses all across this country ignorant liberal bigots have been discriminating against conservative speech and conservatives for years. The legal group acronymed FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), which defends conservative teachers and students who have been discriminated against by liberal bigots on various college campuses, could provide you with a lengthy list of such cases. It would be nice to see students pushing for intellectual diversity on their campuses, and maybe even affirmative action for hiring a true minority on college campuses: conservative teachers. Until that happens, liberal college professors and liberal students will feel free to continue to try to take advantage of others. That needs to change.
Wayne Lela **Personal contact information has been omitted. No other changes to this letter have been made.
The Vista always accepts letters to the editor. If you would like your response displayed in the next issue, please send your letters to The Vista at 100 N. University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 or email your response to the Vista at TheVista.ads@gmail.com.
Letter to Duvall
Feb. 13, 2018
11
DEAR PRESIDENT DUVALL, I am writing to apologize for your treatment and the lack of tolerance by the UCO, LGBTQ Organization. As a current Graduate student, prior alumnus, former staff, Staff Senator; in addition, to severing on the committee, which initially formed the current LGBTQ Organization, I ashamed of their behavior. To be clear, I am not writing in support of the invited guest speaker. I am supporting your right as a student and the President of UCOSA, to express your opinions, rights and freedoms. The LGBTQ leadership is allowing intolerance to infiltrate their core, which will sensor a diversified climate on campus. The LGBTQ Mission, Vision and Definition: University of Central Oklahoma Diversity Vision: Proactively achieving an institutional climate that encourages the presence and values the contributions of faculty, staff, and students with different identities at every level of social interactions, organizational structure, and institutional authority. Committee on Diversity Mission: As one of Oklahoma’s oldest institutions of higher learning, the University of Central Oklahoma acknowledges the sacrifices and struggles that groups of individuals experienced and continue to experience in achieving equality and justice. Given the University’s historical heritage, the mission of the Committee on Diversity is to articulate, challenge, advance, and collaborate in implementing University policies, plans, and programs related to the presence and contributions of faculty, staff, and students with different identities. Through developing policies, plans, and programs that shape the institutional climate and that serve diverse communities, the Committee fulfills its institutional role and assists the university in realizing its Diversity Vision. Definition of Diversity: The Committee on Diversity defines diversity as the self-identification processes of different identities in the areas of race, class, gender, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, ability, and other aspects of self-identification (webpage, http://sites.uco.edu/central/diversity-committee/mission-vision-definition.asp). Bullying is never an acceptable behavior, and I support you unequivocally. Sincerely, Nathan Goad
**Personal contact information has been omitted. No other changes to this letter have been made.
The above letter was sent to UCOSA President Stockton Duvall, as well as The Vista on Friday, Feb. 9 in response to controversy surrounding Duvall and the rescinded offer to Ken Ham, as well as Duvall’s statement claiming he was bullied into rescinding the offer.
12
Feb. 13, 2018
Social Media Response
Social Media Responds to Ken Ham Controversy
Social Media Response
Feb. 13, 2018
13
Tweets and Facebook posts obtained from public profiles using searches related to the Ken Ham and UCO controversy.
Feb. 13, 2018
14
Timeline
Timeline of the Ken Ham Controversy Fall 2017
December 2017
Janurary 2017
Fall 2017 Semester Negotiations begin between the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association and Answers in Genesis.
December 4, 2017 Statement of Intent is signed by UCOSA President Stockton Duvall and Vice President of Student Affairs Myron Pope.
January 12, 2018 Initial UCO Contract signed by Drew Duke.
January 24, 2018 Meeting between members of the Women’s Research Center and LGBTQ+ Student Center and UCOSA President Stockton Duvall, where Duvall claims he was bullied.
January 24, 2018 AiG emails Duvall regarding questions and concerns with the UCO speaker contract.
Janurary 2018
February 2018
January 24, 2018 Members of the Women’s Research Center and LGBTQ+ Student Center approach the Vista about the Ken Ham event. The Vista begins to investigate.
February 2, 2018 Duvall tells the Vista the invitation to Ken Ham and AiG has been revoked.
February 6, 2018 AiG announces event cancellation and violation of free speech by the University of Central Oklahoma on Answers in Genesis website.
February 7, 2018 Duvall releases statement to Facebook and Twitter explaining the situation and claiming he was bullied into rescinding the offer to Ham.
February 7, 2018 -
February 8, 2018 UCO/ Ken Ham story makes front page of the Oklahoman newspaper, continues to circulate within the media/ on social media.
February 8, 2018 The Women’s Research Center and LGBTQ+ Student Center releases statement to Facebook denouncing bullying.
February 8, 2018 Valid Worldview releases statement to the Vista and other media sources saying Duvall approached them to bring Ham to UCO.
February 8, 2018 UCO President Don Betz releases statement reiterating the university’s stance on free speech on campus and says anyone is welcome at UCO, including Ham.
Fox News releases opinion piece titled “Sex Carnivals, drag queens are welcome, Ken Ham and other creationists are not, university says.” Article circulates Internet.
February 2018 February 7, 2018 University Communications releases statement expressing the university’s stance on free speech on campus and stating the administration had no influence on Duvall’s decision.
February 2018 February 9, 2018 UCO Student Alliance for Equality releases statement saying they had no connection to the discussion leading up to UCOSA rescinding offer.
February 9, 2018 The Vista releases first part of three-part series on the controversy between UCO and Ken Ham.
`
Humor Column
Feb. 13, 2018
Love can sometimes be like a paper plane, you spend a lot of hard work and time creating the perfect light-weight aviation piece of flight domination. Then when you take it outside, it’s the wind that truly determines where that plane will go. Sometimes the wind throws your beautiful aircraft straight toward the cold, hard earth. This Valentines Day, you might be hurling that paper plane of love at a special someone, hoping that the wind is blowing just right and carry it forever. Maybe this person’s laugh makes your heart beat so fast that you reach for your pulse to make sure you’re okay. You look forward to whatever it is you’re about to do because you know they’ll be there and that makes it okay. Well, be prepared for rejection, because they probably don’t feel that way at all. Heck, they might even find you disgusting. When that person ‘Hulk Smashes’ your crappy paper plane into the dead dirt below, remember this mnemonic device so you will be able to get over that life-destroying rejection.
15
K
ick out the self-doubt - That’s right, kick away any self-doubt that you feel about yourself. You are still a very special person to the only individual that matters out there: YOU. If you start questioning whether or not you’re good enough for any other person, stop. You’re just not meant for them, it doesn’t mean you’re not meant for someone else. Find someone who will actually love you for any ideology that you think is acceptable to spread.
E
verything will be okay - Yeah, it seems like the world is over. It’s not. You’ll wake up tomorrow to the sun shining it’s warm rays on the fresh morning dew. Birds will fly over your head singing songs of hope and squirrels will be chasing after each other. You’ll get in your car and the radio will play that one song you love so much and your head will start nodding along to the beat. You’ll forget about that person and continue spreading whatever ideology you believe in.
N
othing is forever - That leads to the next point, nothing is forever. You won’t constantly receive rejection in life. That just doesn’t happen. There are other weirdos like you out there who accept you for who you are and will run alongside your paper plane of love. The faster you realize that the person who rejected you just wasn’t right for you, the faster you can get far away from them and keep spreading your crazy ideology.
H
appiness isn’t a handout - Smiles are simple, but happiness is hard. It takes work to be a happier person. If it was easy, life wouldn’t be as great as it is. Think about it, if it took no effort to be happy, nobody would want it. Being happy is something special and it is something earned, but it takes realizing that you must remove hate in order to be happy. Basically, the sooner you stop spreading hateful ideology, the happier you’ll be.
A
ccept the rejection - Accepting it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn from it. Accept the rejection through acknowledgement. Allow the rejection in your life and acknowledge that the other person is now an afterthought. Ask yourself what adjustments of your ideology you have to make and accept them.
M ake life beautiful - After all is said and done, life still goes on. This mnemonic device will help you get better after rejection, but it’s
really up to you to make life better. Don’t rely on another person to make living worth it, there’s already a person who does: YOU. Remember, it’s not just about knowing, it’s about doing. Go hiking in the Oklahoma hills, read a science book, go sky-diving, relearn the process of evolution or simply make a paper airplane and take it outside. Just by recognizing this mnemonic device, you might be able to remind yourself that you’re not wanted and that’s okay. Fly that paper plane made of love in an area where the wind will carry it to where you need it to go. If you get rejected this Valentines Day, remember to save whatever ideology you were going to say to that person and say it to someone else.