Controversial Speakers and Controversial Speakers and Events:Events:

Strategies for Risk ManagementStrategies for Risk Management

Kathleen Simons, Ph.D., Associate Provost for Student Life Kathleen Simons, Ph.D., Associate Provost for Student Life and Leadership, Xavier Universityand Leadership, Xavier University

&&Luther Smith, Ph.D., Dean of Students, Xavier UniversityLuther Smith, Ph.D., Dean of Students, Xavier University

Civil Discourse on CampusCivil Discourse on Campus

Campuses should strive to be places for Campuses should strive to be places for tough conversations, despite the risks tough conversations, despite the risks

posed by today’s media climate.posed by today’s media climate.

The Rev. John I. Jenkins, PresidentThe Rev. John I. Jenkins, President

University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame

Example: Ann Coulter Example: Ann Coulter

A student club decided to host an event A student club decided to host an event with Ann Coulterwith Ann Coulter

Limited work was done on the event Limited work was done on the event during the summer – the challenges were: during the summer – the challenges were: timing and minimal follow-uptiming and minimal follow-up

SL&L administration intervention was SL&L administration intervention was needed needed

Background CheckBackground Check

Spoke with another University about their Spoke with another University about their experience hosting Ann Coulterexperience hosting Ann CoulterIt was the worst experience in that It was the worst experience in that institution’s historyinstitution’s historyCoulter heckled and was rude to audience Coulter heckled and was rude to audience members who challenged her commentsmembers who challenged her commentsSecurity lost controlSecurity lost controlArrests were made and Coulter left the Arrests were made and Coulter left the stage 20 minutes into the event and did stage 20 minutes into the event and did not returnnot return

A Planning Committee Was FormedA Planning Committee Was Formed

The “group” consisted of students and The “group” consisted of students and administrative staff with the underlying administrative staff with the underlying focus being on educational outcomes for focus being on educational outcomes for student learningstudent learning

The following individuals comprised the The following individuals comprised the “group”“group”

Dean of StudentsDean of Students Associate Provost for Student Life & Associate Provost for Student Life & LeadershipLeadership Chief of Campus PoliceChief of Campus Police Associate Vice President for Media RelationsAssociate Vice President for Media Relations

President of the Sponsoring OrganizationPresident of the Sponsoring Organization Student Government PresidentStudent Government PresidentDirector of Student InvolvementDirector of Student Involvement Director of the Cintas CenterDirector of the Cintas Center

Other support personnel were included in meetings, as requested or needed.Other support personnel were included in meetings, as requested or needed.

To Cancel or Proceed?To Cancel or Proceed?

While it was considered to be controversial, and While it was considered to be controversial, and not planned, the University Protocol for Campus not planned, the University Protocol for Campus Public Speakers and Events informed the Public Speakers and Events informed the processprocess

Strategies to manage the event were explored Strategies to manage the event were explored (the idea for a counter event emerged)(the idea for a counter event emerged)

Controversial events are supported by the Controversial events are supported by the University mission and University Protocol for University mission and University Protocol for Campus Public Speakers and EventsCampus Public Speakers and Events

University Protocol for Campus University Protocol for Campus Public Speakers and EventsPublic Speakers and Events

First paragraph…First paragraph…

Universities exist “for the transmission of knowledge, the Universities exist “for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society.” In the pursuit of general well-being of society.” In the pursuit of knowledge and truth, universities—as befits their name knowledge and truth, universities—as befits their name [[universusuniversus=whole]—examine the whole of reality from a =whole]—examine the whole of reality from a wide range of different perspectives. Free inquiry and wide range of different perspectives. Free inquiry and open discussion are therefore indispensable to the open discussion are therefore indispensable to the attainment of the central goals of universities. Xavier attainment of the central goals of universities. Xavier University, as a University, as a universityuniversity, is committed unreservedly to , is committed unreservedly to open and free inquiry and discussion.open and free inquiry and discussion.

Academic FreedomAcademic Freedom

To Cancel or Proceed?To Cancel or Proceed?

The decision was made to proceed with The decision was made to proceed with holding the Ann Coulter eventholding the Ann Coulter event

Counter-eventCounter-event“Thank-you, Ann”“Thank-you, Ann”

Xavier student clubs/organizations were Xavier student clubs/organizations were initially considered to host a counter-eventinitially considered to host a counter-event

Equality Ohio then approached Xavier Equality Ohio then approached Xavier about coordinating a counter eventabout coordinating a counter event

Website solicitation of $5 (the cost to Website solicitation of $5 (the cost to attend the Coulter event)attend the Coulter event)

Equality Ohio worked with student groups Equality Ohio worked with student groups to plan the counter-eventto plan the counter-event

Event LocationEvent Location

Originally scheduled for the Banquet RoomOriginally scheduled for the Banquet Room

Campus Police, Cintas Center, and the Planning Committee did not Campus Police, Cintas Center, and the Planning Committee did not approve that locationapprove that location

Coulter personnel and College Republicans insisted the event be Coulter personnel and College Republicans insisted the event be held in the Banquet Room due to be more intimateheld in the Banquet Room due to be more intimate

Planning Committee finally insisted that it would be held in the Planning Committee finally insisted that it would be held in the Arena for safety reasonsArena for safety reasons

Ann Coulter event moved from a banquet room to the arena and Ann Coulter event moved from a banquet room to the arena and rationalerationale

Banquet Room DiagramBanquet Room Diagram

Cintas ArenaCintas Arena

Arena DiagramArena Diagram

Plans and ImplementationPlans and Implementation

The Coulter event was held in the Cintas Center ArenaThe Coulter event was held in the Cintas Center Arena

The “Thank –you, Ann” event was held on the campus green-space The “Thank –you, Ann” event was held on the campus green-space (outdoors)(outdoors)

Security was present at both events (more at the Coulter event than at Security was present at both events (more at the Coulter event than at the “Thank You Ann” eventthe “Thank You Ann” event

Both events were free to studentsBoth events were free to students

The public paid only $5/person to attend the Coulter event (a higher The public paid only $5/person to attend the Coulter event (a higher charge may have drawn a larger audience)charge may have drawn a larger audience)

Safety and Security ConsiderationsSafety and Security Considerations

Officers and contract security were posted Officers and contract security were posted at strategic locationsat strategic locations

Security for the “Thank-you, Ann” eventSecurity for the “Thank-you, Ann” event

Previously established protocols were in Previously established protocols were in place for large eventsplace for large events

ChallengesChallengesStudent relationships (among sponsoring Student relationships (among sponsoring groups and SGA)groups and SGA)

Administrative involvementAdministrative involvement

NewswireNewswire (Xavier’s student newspaper) (Xavier’s student newspaper)

Taking sides (students, faculty, staff, Taking sides (students, faculty, staff, alums)alums)

Outside forces (Young America’s Outside forces (Young America’s Foundation and Equality Ohio)Foundation and Equality Ohio)

Responding to Public OutcryResponding to Public Outcry

Public RelationsPublic Relations

Consistent statement about the Ann Consistent statement about the Ann Coulter event being held on-campus to Coulter event being held on-campus to individuals who oppose the event being individuals who oppose the event being held in a Xavier facilityheld in a Xavier facilityComplaints referred primarily to two Complaints referred primarily to two individuals (Associate VP for Media individuals (Associate VP for Media Relations and the Dean of Students)Relations and the Dean of Students)Responses to possible questions Responses to possible questions regarding the Ann Coulter eventregarding the Ann Coulter event

Consistent StatementConsistent Statement

Thank you for your comments regarding the scheduled Thank you for your comments regarding the scheduled appearance of Ann Coulter on our campus. This appearance of Ann Coulter on our campus. This appearance, sponsored by a University student appearance, sponsored by a University student organization, is not an endorsement by the University or organization, is not an endorsement by the University or the sponsoring group.the sponsoring group.

Speakers and events on campus contribute to the critical Speakers and events on campus contribute to the critical inquiry, open discussion, and diverse expression of ideas inquiry, open discussion, and diverse expression of ideas that are essential to Xavier’s educational mission. that are essential to Xavier’s educational mission. Xavier’s commitments to academic freedom as well as Xavier’s commitments to academic freedom as well as its mission as a Catholic, Jesuit university often results in its mission as a Catholic, Jesuit university often results in a wide expression of ideas and opinions on campus.a wide expression of ideas and opinions on campus.

Please know that your concern about the appearance of Please know that your concern about the appearance of Ann Coulter is being noted and your comments are Ann Coulter is being noted and your comments are appreciated.appreciated.

QUESTIONS/RESPONSESQUESTIONS/RESPONSESIs Xavier paying for her appearance?Is Xavier paying for her appearance?

Like all student groups, the College Republicans get minimal funding from the Like all student groups, the College Republicans get minimal funding from the University and it is up to the students to use it as they wish. Members of the University and it is up to the students to use it as they wish. Members of the College Republicans have raised most of Coulter’s fee on their own, through College Republicans have raised most of Coulter’s fee on their own, through fundraisers sponsored by the organization.fundraisers sponsored by the organization.

Whose idea was it to bring her here and who approved it?Whose idea was it to bring her here and who approved it?

The students in College Republicans made the decisions and followed the The students in College Republicans made the decisions and followed the guidelines of the University speaker policy, working with their faculty advisor guidelines of the University speaker policy, working with their faculty advisor and vice president to get approval. The University’s guidelines for speaker and vice president to get approval. The University’s guidelines for speaker protocol state that the potential for controversy is never in itself an acceptable protocol state that the potential for controversy is never in itself an acceptable reason to deny a speaker or event.reason to deny a speaker or event.

QUESTIONS/RESPONSESQUESTIONS/RESPONSES

Will the University present the “other side” to balance Coulter?Will the University present the “other side” to balance Coulter?

While there are no plans to bring someone to campus to directly speak in While there are no plans to bring someone to campus to directly speak in opposition to Counter, the University sponsors a variety of speakers on a opposition to Counter, the University sponsors a variety of speakers on a variety of topics throughout the year, many of whom hold opinions vastly variety of topics throughout the year, many of whom hold opinions vastly different from Ann Coulter. You may remember that a few years ago, the different from Ann Coulter. You may remember that a few years ago, the Student Government Association brought in controversial film –maker, Student Government Association brought in controversial film –maker, Michael Moore.Michael Moore.

Will there be demonstrations against Coulter?Will there be demonstrations against Coulter?

Like all college campuses, the students on our campus carry many different Like all college campuses, the students on our campus carry many different opinions. There is no doubt that some of them will organize a thoughtful opinions. There is no doubt that some of them will organize a thoughtful demonstration to make their opinion known.demonstration to make their opinion known.

Feedback and ReactionsFeedback and Reactions

Some newspaper articles viewed both Some newspaper articles viewed both events as successfulevents as successful

Others viewed the Coulter event as a Others viewed the Coulter event as a “flop”“flop”

There were no controversial incidents or There were no controversial incidents or outburstsoutbursts

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StatisticsStatistics1,273 people attended the Coulter talk1,273 people attended the Coulter talkApproximately 250 people attended the “Thank Approximately 250 people attended the “Thank You Ann” eventYou Ann” eventCoulter’s speaker fee was $20KCoulter’s speaker fee was $20KThe “Thank You Ann” event raised $23K in The “Thank You Ann” event raised $23K in donationsdonationsAll money raised by Equality Ohio was given All money raised by Equality Ohio was given back to Xavier student organizations that were back to Xavier student organizations that were offended by Coulter’s message offended by Coulter’s message (Xavier Alliance, African Student (Xavier Alliance, African Student

Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Black Student Association, Voices of Solidarity, Xavier Women’s Center)Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Black Student Association, Voices of Solidarity, Xavier Women’s Center)

The Dean of Students alone invested The Dean of Students alone invested approximately 70 person-hours approximately 70 person-hours (meetings, phone calls, e-mail messages, (meetings, phone calls, e-mail messages,

conversations)conversations)

Q & AQ & A