Statement of the University Administration

Furman remains fully committed to the principles of free expression and civil discourse about significant and sometimes contentious issues.  The visits to campus this year of Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mike Huckabee, Tommie Smith, Anne Coulter, James Carville, and now George W. Bush illustrate this commitment.  Especially during election years, public figures stimulate vigorous conversation and reaction, and the President's impending visit is no exception.  When the White House announced that President Bush would be speaking at Furman'ss graduation exercises, a group of Furman faculty, staff, and students asked the university administration to add their "We Object" statement to the information about Commencement posted on the university's website.  Others in the Furman community who disagree with this statement then asked to post a "Support Our Seniors" petition, and we have accorded them that opportunity.  By publishing these statements, we have championed the University's distinctive commitment to freedom of speech and expression, even when such discourse is provocative and uncomfortable.  Such open communications enrich the learning environment.

The "Support Our Seniors" petition includes requests of the University administration that warrant response.  Several of the requests address University decisions that have already been implemented - decisions that will stand.  Specifically, the "We Object" statement has been published and will remain on this site, as will the "Support Our Seniors" statement, until May 31.  In addition, Furman will sustain its longstanding policy whereby individual faculty members must request permission from the Dean of the Faculty to be excused from Commencement.  Those faculty members who have cited conscientious objection to the President's visit have been excused and, as always, all such requests have been treated with respect and confidentiality. 

The intense discussion about the participation of the President of the United States in Furman's Commencement reaffirms the University's foundational commitment to being a crossroads of competing ideas and perspectives.