The Principles of Community allow for different viewpoints to be expressed.
A few weeks ago, the campus community was abuzz after Tucker Max visited Blacksburg for a screening of his new movie. On one side, you had the Women's Center expressing its dismay at his visit, and on the other, there was Darko Entertainment, which organized the event.
The Women's Center shared information regarding its concerns about the speaker and brought up the Principles of Community. While Max's past behavior would contradict the Principles, his speaking in the community would not contradict them. If anything, the Principles of Community would allow for this different viewpoint to be expressed regardless of past behavior. In the end, it is the individual choice of any community member to decide to go or not go to such an event.
The Women's Center had the right in educating the community about the other side to the Tucker Max story. However, others crossed the line when they questioned the fact that the Lyric would even host such a performer. To the credit of the Lyric, they handle reservations without regard to the content. The Lyric should not be in the position to censor potential performers or artists that use the venue because certain members of the community disagree with the contents of a show.
This issue of censorship is not a new one within the community. In March 2003, at a Virginia Tech Board of Visitors meeting, the board approved a policy requiring the university president had to approve every speaker that groups wanted to invite. Members of the board expressed concerns about the radical nature of the speakers who were being invited to campus. Fortunately, this was overturned within a short period after the campus community expressed its shock and dismay at such a decision. Imagine if today President Steger had to approve every speaker that visits the campus community.
If we look closely at the Principles of Community, it promotes the open expression of ideas, regardless of opinion. It is when expressions turn into actions that begin to hurt or attack someone that they run counter to the stated values.
Recently, Steger sent a letter to the campus community reminding the community of the importance of upholding the principles. The letter highlighted recent situations in which students faced actions that were hurtful and were clearly directed toward them.
The university can't control each and every decision or action taken by the community. As we interact with each other, we are encouraged to do so in a manner that provides respect and provides an opportunity for the free expression of ideas in a climate of civility, sensitivity and mutual respect.
However, not all interactions are going to be ideal, as some can become problematic. Take, for example, a situation in which a student is made fun of because of what they say or how they say it. Or the situation in which a professor uses sexual innuendo as class examples that makes students uncomfortable. Or what about the graduate assistant who feels unwelcome in their department or receives contradictory information that impacts their academic progress?
The Principles of Community provides a set of expectations and standards. It does not choose one side over the other, but allows for the equal treatment so that all sides can be heard in a civil manner. With this opportunity for free expression comes the responsibility to ensure civility, sensitivity and mutual respect. All too often, different groups will attempt to use the principles to deny the right of free expression of the other side. We need to be careful of going down such a path.