University Begins Displaying American Flag in Classrooms

CNS News ^ | September 12, 2003 | ucfdeltagirl

[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)

[Thane_Banquo]

Bump for my school!

I'm sure it chaffes the liberals that UCF is dominated by the enginerring and business schools, which don't traditionally adhere to radical leftism.

[Mo1]

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.

Will someone educate these morons .. The American Flag shows support of OUR COUNTRY and not any one person or party ..

[Thane_Banquo]

Bump for my school!

I'm sure it chaffes the liberals that UCF is dominated by the enginerring and business schools, which don't traditionally adhere to radical leftism.

[Nam Vet]

Great news there Girl! Thanks for the ray of sunshine. By the way, welcome to FR. Great post for a 'newbie'. (^;

Nam Vet

[Thane_Banquo]

Submitted to: UCF Faculty, Staff, and Students
Submitted from: John C. Hitt, President
Subject: Flags in Classrooms

The request to place donated flags in classrooms at the University of
Central Florida presents the University with two clear choices. We can
accept the flags and proudly display them in our classrooms as symbols
of the political entity that guarantees our freedom of speech, our right
to dissent, the rights of political minorities, and our tradition of
democracy. Or, we can decline the offer of the flags and by that act
cede to one political group our national symbol, likely making it a pawn
in ongoing culture wars between groups jockeying for momentary advantage
in what is often a low political process. The choice is, for me, simple
and compelling. UCF will accept and proudly display the flags in our
classrooms. In doing so, we affirm our flag as a powerful unifying
symbol. It belongs to all Americans, right, left, center, or undecided.
It must not be co-opted as the symbol of any one group or party.

What of the effects of this decision on our academic enterprise? I am
sure that there will be some who use the occasion to create or exploit
controversy, but I must reject in the strongest terms the suggestion
that the presence of the flag inhibits free speech. The flag is
symbolic of the very constitution and government that guarantee our
rights of democracy and free speech. Were you to seek redress from
actions that you believed denied you free speech, you would do so in
federal court, where you would find the flag on prominent display.

I have been a strong advocate and protector of individual and group
rights on our campus since the day I assumed its presidency. My
administration will continue to protect the academic freedom and
individual and group rights of all members of our campus community. We
expect that all members of the community respect the rights of others
and obey the laws of our state and nation and the rules and regulations
of the University. It is a core value of academe that we respect the
dignity and worth of all people.

[Malesherbes]

Congratulations to the students, but it is a sad commentary on our times that what was once normal has become a victory to be won.

[concerned about politics]

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,

Liberals are so dumb.
It's our national flag!!! The flag of the United States!! It represents our country and our free republic!! Do these things mean nothing to the ignorant left???

[abner]

What a great thing! I am happy to see that the students did this. I'm disgusted to think that anyone would think that the flag has anything to do with partisan politics!

[CalvaryJohn]

Pinko Commie little pukes. I will NEVER EVER send my kid or, if I can help it, anybody elses to one of these Commie Indoctrination Centers. Higher education my ass. The root of most problems in this society are the direct fault of these institutions. BTW, University is supposed to mean, Unity in Diversity. Right- just as long as it's leftist diversity.

[concerned about politics]

some of the youths calling the American flag "fascist" and "offensive."

Public school kids?

There's a law suit for free CONSERVATIVE speach being made against a college in America now. They plan on talking that same suit to colleges all around the country.
The Liberal rules in colleges are oppressive to conservatives, and denies them THEIR right to free speach.
Things are getting better, but there's still a long road ahead.

[Pynchon65]

This reveals once and for all that some liberals--not all, not most--do not love this country--they live here, and withhold their love until this country becomes something it is not, something they wish it to be (a socialist nation). We keep hearing that libs love the US just as much as any flag-waving republican--well, here is the chance to prove it. The flag does not stand for Goerge Bush; it stands for the United States.

Why so few US flags at lib gatherings?

Isn't it their flag, too?

I guess I have my answer.

[abner]

Did I miss something? Did we have a different flag when Clinton was in office?

[randog]

"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."

Don't forget, folks--these people are just as "patriotic" as you and I.

[Thane_Banquo]

The fact leftists consider the flag a partisan symbol represents their implicit acceptance of the reality that the majority of radical leftists hate America.

[Libertina]

"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."
"I'd prefer to walk on it then set it on fire.." /s

[Wormwood]

Flag : Liberal

Cross : Vampire

[viaveritasvita]

WOO HOO! YIPPEE! AND HALLELUJAH!

Thanks for this uplifting and encouraging news.

[Libertina]

LOL
Solution: Stake and Garlic ;)