University Safe Zone for everyone but the politically moderate and conservative

The Louisville Cardinal ^ | November 30, 2004 | Ben Foster

[ProfPhDCPACMA]

I wrote a column on interesting things happening at the University of Louisville that you might want to read. I do not believe the LGBT Center and Safe Zone are a wise use of taxpayer and student funds.

Here is an e-mail exchange I have had with a leader of a Gay/Lesbian/Straight student group on campus. My response includes a cite to an article that you might also find interesting. I sent a copy of my response to high-level administrators at U of L

>>> "James Taylor" 11/30/2004 2:01:50 PM >>> Dear Friends, Today an editorial attacked the Safe Zone Project and one of our most avid supporters. This is nothing new to any of us. We have always received these criticisms from insensitive and intolerate people. But, to receive that treatment from a professor is alarming. I say to Ben Foster, THANK YOU for providing a clear example of why this Safe Zone Project is needed: So your students can turn elsewhere for the support they need. In fact, you're a little late on the critisizm. The Safe Zone Manuals will be sent to printers this Friday, and training begins in December. I doubt we'll see you there. To the University Administration: Thank you for your support of ALL Students, not just LGBT ones. Dr. Taylor-Archer, Dr. Gifford, and Provost Willinghanz have shown their support for every student on this campus and for that we thank them. I wish that all members of this community could have the same true values of equality and caring. Best Regards,James TaylorcommonGround President

Dear Mr. Taylor:

Thank you for affirming the need for a Safe Zone at the University of Louisville for people who do not agree with your views. I have reread my editorial and cannot find anything stated that should make anyone feel alarmed or less safe on campus. Also, I have no idea which of your "avid supporters" I attacked. I did not know that paraphrasing or commenting on something said or written by someone was "attacking" them.

Do you believe that calling for wise use of student and taxpayer dollars by questioning whether a potential sevice overlaps with others already provided or is unneeded constitutes attacking someone? I stated that support already exists for GLBT persons (your group is a good example) and that GLBT support could efficiently be provided in conjuction with the Women's Center.

You state that "We have always received these criticisms from insensitive and intolerate people. But, to receive that treatment from a professor is alarming." I find that comment interesting. Almost all the comments I've referred to in my column that many conservative students, staff, and faculty find offensive, were made by professors. I find it alarming that no one else on campus objects to those comments or tries to engage in a dialogue that indicates disagreement with those comments. That is why I have begun writing columns for the Cardinal. Your statements indicate your intolerance and insensitivity toward people who disagree with you.

You mention that my students may need to turn elsewhere for the support they need. I provide support to any student who needs help in accounting regardless of who they are. (I would not know whether any of my students are GLBT.) I do know that many business majors are somewhat conservative and they must pay student fees and tuition, and take classes to meet the general education requirements like all other students on campus. Many of those students feel unwelcomed and valued less by the admistration than many other students on campus.

A Supreme Court case that dealt with the distribution of student activity fees at public universities concluded that public universities must maintain "viewpoint neutrality" when using student fees to promote various speakers, programs, and initiatives. (See: Mike S. Adams: Georgia on my Mind at http://www.townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/ma20041130.shtml for a column about that issue at the University of Georgia.) I would like to see evidence of "viewpoint neutrality" in the use of student fees at the University of Louisville. I believe a Conservative Values Support Center would provide evidence of the viewpoint neutrality required by the U.S. Supreme Court.

I have not signed up for the Safe Zone training, but perhaps I should to obtain additional information about what support is needed for people who do not agree with the GLBT agenda and what support the CV Center should provide. I look forward to seeing the Safe Zone Manual and evaluating how student and taxpayer funds have been spent. That will also provide me with an example of what the University needs to provide for conservative people to provide "viewpoint neutrality" required by the U.S. Supreme Court.

I would like to see the University Administration show support for all students, not just those of certain groups and political persuations. I do not believe Dr. Taylor-Archer, Dr. Gifford, and Provost Willinghanz have shown their support for every student on this campus. I too wish that all members of this community could have the same true values of equality and caring and respect for those who disagree with their opinions/positions.

Best regards, Ben Foster, Professor of Accountancy

I also sent the following e-mail to several University administrators:

Dear Administrator:

The Louisville Patriot reported that a U of L sociology professor, Dr. John McTighe, stated to his class: “It was the religious zealots who say they are voting on morals. I think we should all buy AK47’s and shoot them all! That’s what I would suggest, if it were allowed.” Even with sarcasm, I cannot imagine any University employee making similar comments about African-Americans, GLBT persons, women, or members of any other minority groups. That is a prime example of why we need a Conservative Values Support Center on campus to help politically moderate and conservative students deal with bigotry and resultant stress encountered here.

Benjamin P. Foster Professor of Accountancy

I hope you find this information interesting.

Sincerely, Ben Foster, Professor of Accountancy

[Unam Sanctam]

Thanks for your thoughful defense of rights for all on campus.

[FormerLib]

Good luck and God bless!

[Earthdweller]

You are the a hero of every conservative student who has been subjected to bigotry and discrimination on campus. Somehow we must make it known that these problems are real! Keep up the good work.

[LexBaird]

Ha ha! Beautiful use of political judo! Use their own proceedures and policies against them to show who the real intolerant people are on campus.