The mission statement of Ball State University clearly states that we value intellectual freedom, and I personally believe that a university is a marketplace for ideas where thought and discussion of differing viewpoints should be encouraged among students, faculty and staff.
Because of the university's stated mission and my own personal views, I was disappointed to learn that a current student attempted to hit author and commentator David Horowitz with a pie prior to his speaking engagement Nov. 8. The pie, in fact, hit the chief of our public safety department who was assigned to provide security for Horowitz and stepped in the way when he saw the student approaching. Spray from the pie also struck several other officers. The student and another person were arrested for their actions, and the student will be subject to the university's disciplinary process for her actions.
In addition, I understand someone called a local pizza establishment and ordered $230 worth of food to be delivered to the room where Horowitz was speaking. While the person who did this may have thought it was a harmless prank, I do not approve of harming an unsuspecting business. As such, the university is exploring ways to reimburse the establishment for its losses.
Finally, I would like to address statements made by Horowitz to a student reporter for NewsLink Indiana, a Ball State broadcast journalism program. The NewsLink story says, in part:
"The author and critic spoke adamantly about the lack of diverse opinions at Ball State. He also singled out university President Jo Ann Gora for disapproving of his presence on campus.
"'I don't understand why the president of this university would take a hostile attitude toward the students that (sic) ask me to come here,' Horowitz said. "
I did not know that Horowitz was going to appear on campus until I was notified by colleagues three days before his speaking engagement. I did not disapprove of Horowitz's presence on campus because I believe his appearance adds to the discussion of diverse viewpoints that a college campus should foster.
The second part of his statement about me taking "a hostile attitude" toward the students who arranged his appearance is simply not true. I was contacted earlier this year by the College Republicans requesting financial support from the president's office to bring Horowitz to campus. This is not a role my office plays, but I responded to the students that they should seek funding for a student-sponsored event through the Campus Activities Fund Board, which regularly provides funding for such events. In fact, the Campus Activities Fund Board had supported a College Republicans event in 2004. It is my understanding that the College Republicans did not make a request for funding in this way but did receive support from the Student Government Association.
Unfortunately, the reporter for NewsLink Indiana did not contact me for a response to Horowitz's statement. Had he done so, I would have told him that I was supportive of student groups bringing speakers to campus to explore varying viewpoints on political and social issues and that Horowitz was more than welcome at Ball State. The reason the university provided Horowitz with a police escort was to ensure a secure and welcoming environment during his visit.
I also understand Horowitz asked his audience where I was and why I had not introduced him to those assembled. I was never formally informed by the College Republicans that Mr. Horowitz had accepted their invitation to appear on campus nor was I asked to introduce him. That evening, I attended a prior commitment in Indianapolis that had been on my schedule for several months.
Let me assure you that as long as I am president of Ball State University, I will continue to encourage university groups to bring speakers of varying viewpoints to campus, and I will discourage our students from taking actions that reflect poorly on themselves and the reputation of Ball State.
Jo Ann Gora is the president of Ball State University and wrote this 'Your Turn' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to President Gora at president@bsu.edu.
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