Upcoming Cheney Speech at AU "Worries Some"

Vice President Cheney is scheduled to speak at Auburn's graduation ceremony this Friday, and it appears that some faculty members are upset. From the Opelika-Auburn News:

In a county that resoundingly voted to keep Cheney and George W. Bush in the White House for a second term, many are ecstatic to see the vice president travel through the Plains. But AU Provost John Heilman has already addressed the possibility that Cheney’s visit may cause controversy among faculty, some of whom strongly oppose Cheney’s policies. At last week’s AU Senate meeting, Heilman cited an e-mail from a faculty member which noted “how divisive this visit will be.” The e-mail urged Heilman to clearly set parameters for oppositional speech at the graduation ceremony.

“I don’t think the provost should be in the business of deciding what are and are not in the limits of expression,” Heilman said. “Those matters are for us to decide individually ...“I think civility is something that matters even, or especially, in the company of those with whom we strongly disagree.”

According to the News, Cheney will be Auburn's first commencement speaker in 34 years.