Commencement-speech troubles like Obama’s won’t afflict Paulsen at St. Olaf — unless they do

Unfortunately, Mr. Steller is mistaken in his assessment that it will be “clear sailing” for Erik Paulsen. Recently a student contacted St. Olaf’s President, David Anderson, about his concern about the administration’s selection for the speaker. Citing Paulsen’s views and voting record concerning GLBT rights and protections, this student noted that Paulsen does not reflect the college’s views, and that his selection is deeply troublesome. In response to this student’s concerns, Anderson noted that the selection of any speaker will undoubtedly upset a few individuals, and that you cannot expect to please everyone in attendance.

Anderson’s remarks elicited a fury of student dialogue, debate, and dissent. The overwhelming opinion from students is that Paulsen’s views on GLBT issues was not upsetting to some but to most, and that his selection is in fact largely ignorant of the college’s values. While GLBT individuals on campus were quick to point out their grievances with Anderson’s response, it was the action of two GLBT allies that quickly rallied student support in the form of a petition. The petition, which has circulated around the entire campus, articulates the St. Olaf community’s disappointment in the administration’s selection, and hopes that greater consideration will happen in the future.

The petition will be given to the administration tomorrow (Friday), upon which many students are hoping for a formal response from President Anderson.

It is unfortunate that Steller’s assessment of the situation down here in Northfield is so contrary to what is actually happening, as clearly the situation here is far from “clear sailing.” I see no evidence of communication between Steller and any representatives of the college in this article.

Furthermore, I disagree with Steller’s assessment of Arizona State’s graduation. ASU’s decision to not provide Obama with an honorary degree was not so much a “diss,” as it was saying that he is still new on the scene, and that he has much to show in the future. Obama has advocated for the college, saying that he agrees that he does not deserve an honorary degree at this point in time. I’ll refer you to the NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/us/politics/14obama.html?_r=1&hp

*clarification*
I apologize for forgetting the quote from David Gonnerman. My mistake. Instead, it seems that Gonnerman is not correct in his assessment of the situation.

Perhaps David Gonnerman has not done his research. There is currently a petition circulating the St. Olaf campus as many students, particularly members of the LGBT community, are outraged to hear that he is speaking at our graduation ceremony. Students of this campus are finding that, increasingly, their views are not mirrored by those of administrators and regents, and contrary to our media ‘representative’s’ views, we are not merely bucolic bystanders.

I think he met “the diss” from ASU head on and without any question came off as the much better human being while providing the ASU Class of ‘09 with one of -if not the best commencement speech of this or possibly any such endeavor.

Insofar as Notre Dame is concerned I seriously doubt that PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA will “duck for cover” as you suggest. I believe he will meet the reactionary minority head on and will turn the dissent to his advantage as he did at ASU.

As far as Canoe U. is concerned … despite you sarcastic attempt to play off the “DADT” controversy, I think you would be surprised at the warmth of the reception he will receive ! I would note that one of the few two-time Superintendents of the institution, Admiral Chuck Larson, is one of signatories of the 100 plus Flag officers who support the repeal of “DADT”.

BEAT ARMY ! … oh, yeah, and that other place in Colorado, too !

If what the St. Olaf students are writing is true, then either the St. Olaf reps don’t know what is happening on their campus or they are not telling the truth.

In either case, this is no surprise. St. Olaf College administrators have a long-standing habit of telling the press and other outsiders that all is well with their community, even when its clearly not.

The students may just be waking up to this now. Other St. Olaf community members have seen it happen again and again over the years with issues from the destruction of the old Ytterboe dorm to the destruction of the Paracollege to the destruction of WCAL Radio.

In some ways, it’s understandable what the St. Olaf reps are attempting to do. It’s their job to attempt to deflect controversy and criticism.

But those who really know the true values that St. Olaf imparts know that honesty is not just the best policy — it’s the ONLY policy. Apparently, some students / faculty / alumni still understand this. The administration and board of regents? Not so much.

Let’s put this “controversy” in context.

George W. Bush spoke at Notre Dame, while supporting policies in direct conflict with Catholic teaching — such as CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. Bush actually mocked Karla Faye Tucker, a woman on death row. What kind of Christian compassion is that? Where were today’s protesters then?

The Pope himself also told G.W. Bush that invading Iraq was immoral and not to do it. Yet G.W. Bush invaded and slaughtered hundreds of thousands. Where was the moral outrage then? Where were the “Catholic” protesters?

While David Gonnerman has traditionally done good work in accurately representing St. Olaf (with a bit of positive spin – he is a publicist, after all) I believe he is way off the mark here. Please read the related article and comments for a much better representation of the student body: informed, opinionated, active, polite, respectful, and diverse.

I want to make a couple comments in David Gonnerman’s defense. As now noted in the story (though not the first version), my original interview with him took place well before this post. I wish I had checked back with him immediately before posting to give him the chance to update his take on this topic.

As for his general remarks on St. Olaf, what he told me was along the lines of the college being comparable to others in terms of political activity, awareness, protest, and so forth. The context was a comparison I wanted to draw with Notre Dame — a university that does seem like a special case. Given the chance, I suspect he wouldn’t dispute An Alumnus’ characterization of the St. Olaf campus.