Posted on 09/15/2003 10:25:18 AM PDT by hoosierskypilot
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — An Indiana University professor's anti-gay statements on his IU Web site are sparking a debate that pits freedom of speech against the university's efforts to promote diversity and tolerance of gays.
The furor has divided the Bloomington campus, prompting questions about how public money is being used and whether IU needs more stringent policies on Internet use.
On the site — supported by the IU server and with an IU address — Eric Rasmusen, an economics professor in the Kelley School of Business, contends gays aren't suited for certain jobs, such as teaching, preaching and elected posts, because these are "moral exemplars."
He also states that gay men "are generally promiscuous" and are more likely than heterosexuals to molest students.
Rasmusen said he keeps the site — not so much for others to read, but as a journal to record his thoughts.
"I think the reaction is extreme because some university people do not have much exposure to people of differing opinions," he said.
Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm said university officials have reviewed the site and found it doesn't violate law or IU's Internet policy.
"It is very clear ... it is not in violation," Brehm said. "But it doesn't mean one has to like it. I deplore it, but it is protected speech."
The review hasn't appeased some students, faculty and staff, who say the site sends the wrong message about diversity at IU and could make gays think they aren't welcome.
"A lot of people see it as a personal attack" on the gay community at large, said Edyta Sitko, president of OUT, a student union for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.
More than 50 students, faculty and staff have called or e-mailed IU's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services office with objections about the site, coordinator Doug Bauder said. At least five official complaints have been lodged with IU's anti-harassment team.
Many complainants have urged the university to implement stricter controls, require each site to carry a disclaimer that the views aren't those of IU or get rid of the personal sites altogether.
Rasmusen, an IU professor since 1992, said he was surprised by "all the stir" and added that the university was right to allow wide latitude for conservative sites such as his, as well as more liberal ones. His site also includes comments on religion, the death penalty and Iraq.
He has some support on and off campus.
While professor David Daleke, chairman of the Bloomington Faculty Council, said he objected to some of Rasmusen's views, he said freedom of expression is important at a university and, as long as no laws are violated, people should be able to speak their minds.
John Krull, executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, agrees — even if it involves tax-supported Web sites. "The Klan gets to use the Statehouse steps if they ask," he noted.
Krull said IU can decide what appears and what doesn't. "But it seems to me suppressing speech is the antithesis of what a university is supposed to be about."
New IU President Adam Herbert, who has pledged to increase diversity on campus, is staying out of the fray. In a statement issued last week, he said it's a campus issue being addressed by Brehm.
Brehm said it's a universitywide issue, and she wants the University Faculty Council to take up the discussion.
That response falls short for some.
A group of about 50 students, faculty and staff has called for Herbert and Brehm to issue statements on how irresponsible speech can hurt a learning environment. The group also is planning a prayer vigil, a T-shirt campaign and a protest, said Bauder, coordinator of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender student office.
IU's policy, which allows students, faculty and staff to post any material on personal Web pages so long as it isn't "a violation of law or university policy," is not unique among public institutions.
Purdue and Ball State universities also have policies that allow nearly all content — unless it violates university policies, libel, copyright, privacy and other laws or is for a nonuniversity commercial use.
"We think it's a positive thing to ... let people express their ideas and let other people react to them," said Joseph Bennett, Purdue's vice president for government relations.
But Joseph Losco, past president of the Indiana chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said there should be a middle ground.
Losco, a Ball State professor, said information or opinions related to a professor's class, assignments or research should be protected. But if professors want to discuss political views and philosophies of life, that's best done on a private Web page, he contends.
IU senior Dan O'Neill, who is gay, agrees. "The university needs to tell him to put it on another Web site," he said.
Lucy Dalglish, a First Amendment expert and director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in Washington, D.C., said public universities can decide what to post. They can, for example, allow professors to sponsor only Web pages in their area of expertise.
But restrictions cannot be based on Web site content, and what goes for one group must apply to all, she said.
"They can't yank him (Rasmusen) just because he offends somebody."
So do homosexuals:
What Homosexuals Say About Homosexuals - Is This Gay Behavior Sick?
"and are more likely than heterosexuals to molest students."
I don't know about the risk to college age students, but kids 17 and younger are definetly at risk, as documented here and here.
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Like anyone is going to listen. "Oh God, even though your written word condmens us to hell for practicing sexual perversion we ask that you smite this guy for speaking the truth found in your word"
If God was drinking coffee at the moment of that prayer I'd bet even He'd have to clean His keyboard at the stupidity of it.
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