Recently, our chancellor and acting president, John Silber, ordered the disbandment of Boston University Academy’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), citing fears that younger students would be prematurely exposed to sexual information. He alleges that, rather than acting as a social and health resource, it will instead lead to premarital sex.
Spectrum, BU’s undergraduate Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) group, does not approve of, nor consider, Silber’s action to be wise.
To begin with, censorship has no place in a world-class academic institution. Silber, an academic who has done so much to improve the quality of BU, should not endorse this type of censorship. Regardless of his personal convictions about homosexuality, Silber should respect and allow the existence of this student forum.
Moreover, BU Academy students range from 8th through 12th grade — certainly mature enough to understand and deal with sexual orientation issues. In the U.S., sexual education is taught as early as elementary school, and by eighth grade students have developed sexual awareness. Providing these students access to safe, guided, and open discussion is the responsible thing to do. The Academy students deserve every resource that the BU community can provide.
Spectrum is disappointed in Chancellor Silber’s decision to end the BU Academy GSA student group.
Aaron Herfurth Spectrum President CAS ’04
Rafael Lopez Spectrum Vice President CFA ’05
Fitzann Reid Spectrum Treasurer SMG ’05
Bret Langlois Spectrum Secretary CAS ’03
Karen Shields Spectrum Public Relations Chair COM ’04
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