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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.

YAY!! GO USF!! I am thrilled that the school's Prez has a shred of common sense about him.

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.