Posted on 09/15/2003 8:14:12 PM PDT by ucfdeltagirl
(CNSNews.com) - The first American flag in a Florida state university classroom was unfurled at the University of Central Florida in Orlando on Friday afternoon as a result of an effort led by conservative students.
"This is a great day for UCF students," said Heather Smith, president of Rebuilding on a Conservative Kornerstone, or ROCK, a student-based group that has been working for months to have the flags placed in the school's classrooms.
Smith said it is national emblem of freedom and liberty. However, critics of the plan said the American flags would be used to show political support for President Bush and U.S. intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, issues that not all students agree on.
Several months ago, the school administration approved the group's request to hang flags in every classroom, and UCF officials even offered to provide the labor necessary to install them. However, ROCK was required to come up with the funds to buy the flags.
The organization asked the university's student government for about $3,000 to obtain 200 flags. On Aug. 28, the student leaders voted 20-13 to deny that request after some representatives said they wanted the university - not student fees - to pay for the purchase.
Debate on the issue lasted for more than two hours and was often contentious.
"I would consider this an invasion of what is supposed to be a bastion of critical thought, the university," said Robert Coffman, a junior majoring in English at the school. "What's the next proposal? Let's have President Bush's photo in every classroom?"
"The flag doesn't offend me personally," said UCF sophomore Matt De Vlieger, a native of Coral Springs, Fla. "The way it's being used does offend me."
"It's a shame that our extremist student government is so out of step with the average UCF student," said Thomas Dexter, vice president of ROCK, after the decision was made.
However, local radio talk show host Shannon Burke heard about the vote and decided to raise money for ROCK's effort during his morning program. Within an hour, Burke had gathered all the needed funds.
The biggest contribution to the project came from the state's Elks organization (the original founders of Flag Day), which donated more than $2,000. Also providing financial support were the local SunTrust Bank, people in the Orlando community and UCF alumni and students.
On Thursday, Sept. 4, the flags for every classroom were delivered to the UCF campus. "With the money that ROCK has raised privately," Smith said, "the flags will be installed this month."
Smith had worked closely with Adam Guillette, a University of Florida senior and chairman of the Freedom Foundation. Following their success at UCF, Smith and Guillette plan to help students at other colleges promote the idea on their campuses.
Still, the controversy over the project hasn't gone away. Some students gathered outside the UCF Student Union this past week to protest the effort, with some of the youths calling the American flag "fascist" and "offensive."
Nevertheless, Burke dismissed those who claim that the flags are being used in a partisan way. "The American flag transcends any political issue," he said.
See Earlier Story: Students Push for American Flags in College Classrooms (July 25, 2003)
[However, critics of the plan said the American flags would be used to show political support for President Bush and U.S. intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, issues that not all students agree on.]
An astonishing example of shallow thingking, even for moronic leftist college students.
[The organization asked the university's student government for about $3,000 to obtain 200 flags.]
The funds should have come from the University. I hope their alumni withhold $300,000 in donations in honor of this outrage.
["The flag doesn't offend me personally," said UCF sophomore Matt De Vlieger, a native of Coral Springs, Fla.,,"]
That's mighty white of you, Matt the Micro-Cephalic.
[However, local radio talk show host Shannon Burke heard about the vote and decided to raise money for ROCK's effort during his morning program. Within an hour, Burke had gathered all the needed funds.}
What else can be said! LOL!
[On Thursday, Sept. 4, the flags for every classroom were delivered to the UCF campus. "With the money that ROCK has raised privately," Smith said, "the flags will be installed this month." ]
Go ROCK, their supporters, and similar college organizations throughout the country!
Now if this flag were the good ole' hammer and scickle or even the cresant and star then there would be no problem.
The American Flag cannot be allowed to "be co-opted" Classic!! I, for one, am offended by the rhetoric of the left. The flag does not stand for Pres. Bush, just like t didn't stand for X42. It represents that very same country that protects the free speech these folks enjoy so much. The sight of her should make them overjoyed that they don't live in a "real" fascist regime. The sight of the flag should instill gratitude for our Framers, our soldiers, and our families.
hehe - I remember when I was in school - in elementary and middle school, it was a huge honor to get picked for Flag Bearer that week.
In high school, the ROTC guys raised and lowered the flag daily. It would be awesome if the same happened in College, outside of military school.
I heard last week the Student Gov't voted against the funds ($3k). I am curious as to what other "causes" the have appropriated money. (Even the Engineering/Bidness block couldn't make it pass?)
At any rate - this is a big win for America!
Where did I say anything about disrupting campus? I could care less if they quit, stay, or get a burial plot there.
Touchy on this issue, maybe?
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