Like many Boston University faculty, staff, and students, I received news of then President John Westling’s resignation this summer. After being thoroughly shocked, I was disgusted and horrified to discover who would replace him as interim-President: our very own Dictator, Chancellor John Silber.

I spent the rest of the summer wondering if I would be returning to the Boston University I knew and loved or something more akin to Riker’s Island. My arrival on campus was marked by my own happiness to see my friends and no sweeping changes. I had heard from many people that the Chancellor was becoming more open-minded about things and that he was going to consider changes to the much abhorred Guest Policy. I decided to become more open-minded myself and give Chancellor Silber a chance at redemption for the asinine, insulting, and low-class statements he had made toward the student body all through my freshman year – until I heard about Silber’s latest transgression: cutting the BU Academy’s Gay/Straight Alliance. The Chancellor’s reasoning was “he believed the group promoted premarital sex.”

As an openly-gay student here at Boston University, it saddens and angers me to think that an administrator as academically accomplished as the Chancellor would hold such views against the student body he governs. The very reason GSAs exist is dispel the stereotypes of gay culture that the Chancellor obviously holds.

I feel it is also worthy to note that on a campus that celebrates diversity and enjoys a vibrant culture from students of all nationalities, religions, sexual orientations and education backgrounds the only homophobia or discrimination I have come across is from our highest ranking and highest paid official. It is a good feeling to know that my parents and I pay $36,000 a year to keep someone as vile as Silber in a position where he continues to hold power.