After push back and appeal, Gonzaga University allows Ben Shapiro to visit campus in spring

982032561706060028He’s on KQQQ two hours every weekday on the Palouse. 

And he’s too dangerous to speak at a college campus? But they can listen to him on the air? 

After an appeal by the Gonzaga University College Republicans club, school officials have announced that conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro will be allowed to speak on campus in the spring.

In a statement sent Monday morning, President Thayne McCulloh said the school and club agreed to an “event location and protocol that will provide a more appropriate level of safety and security.”

“I appreciate that the students worked through the University’s appeals process as set forth in the Events Policy to address issues regarding safety and campus security, as well as engaged in discussion about the focus of the event,” McCulloh said in the statement. “As a comprehensive, faith-based and mission-centered university, we are committed to facilitating exposure to a broad range of intellectual ideas and debate, even as we simultaneously strive to uphold the values reflected in our mission statement. This process is reflective of our efforts to do both.”

The Republican club said on Facebook Monday afternoon that they were planning to host Shapiro at the McCarthy Athletic Center. Olivia Johnston, the club’s president, did not immediately return calls and messages seeking comment.

The university initially denied Shapiro’s request to speak on campus in late November. Among other reasons, administrators said the event could lead to a “hostile environment for employees and students,” and that his presence would contradict the university’s Catholic and Jesuit mission.

Gonzaga University allowing Ben Shapiro to speak on campus in spring

News > Education UPDATED: Mon., Feb. 4, 2019, 5:56 p.m. Conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro will be allowed to speak on the Gonzaga University campus this spring after a Republican student club appealed an earlier decision by administrators.

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