Schalfly's selection for degree incites protest
Ben Sales
Issue date: 4/30/08 Section: Finals Guide
This article has been replaced by another, more recent article available here
One of six people to receive honorary degrees at this year's Commencement ceremony will be notable conservative political leader Phyllis Schlafly, a Washington University graduate and donor.
Schlafly's distinction has led to criticism of the University for what some see as implicit support of her views, several of which have aroused controversy.
In response to her impending award, students have created a Facebook group entitled "No honorary doctorate for anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly." The group targets Schlafly's stances on feminism, marital rape and sex education, saying that they do not "fit with the future [of] the men and women of Wash. U.'s graduating class," and that her presence at Commencement will be "incongruous at best, offensive at worst."
Chancellor Mark Wrighton, however-who confirmed the selection of the recipients-said that Schlafly's accomplishments and fame merit the honorary degree.
"Her contributions have inspired women and she certainly is a leader," Wrighton said. "She is well known on a national level for the conservative movement."
Wrighton added that though many-including himself-may disagree with Schlafly's views, her writings have value in that they serve to enliven the national political discourse.
"I would not myself agree with her political views," he said. "When you step back from it you have to admire her for working for the great democracy that we enjoy. She's a prominent leader and a prominent woman, and she happens to be a conservative."
This article has been replaced by another, more recent article available here
One of six people to receive honorary degrees at this year's Commencement ceremony will be notable conservative political leader Phyllis Schlafly, a Washington University graduate and donor.
Schlafly's distinction has led to criticism of the University for what some see as implicit support of her views, several of which have aroused controversy.
In response to her impending award, students have created a Facebook group entitled "No honorary doctorate for anti-feminist Phyllis Schlafly." The group targets Schlafly's stances on feminism, marital rape and sex education, saying that they do not "fit with the future [of] the men and women of Wash. U.'s graduating class," and that her presence at Commencement will be "incongruous at best, offensive at worst."
Chancellor Mark Wrighton, however-who confirmed the selection of the recipients-said that Schlafly's accomplishments and fame merit the honorary degree.
"Her contributions have inspired women and she certainly is a leader," Wrighton said. "She is well known on a national level for the conservative movement."
Wrighton added that though many-including himself-may disagree with Schlafly's views, her writings have value in that they serve to enliven the national political discourse.
"I would not myself agree with her political views," he said. "When you step back from it you have to admire her for working for the great democracy that we enjoy. She's a prominent leader and a prominent woman, and she happens to be a conservative."
This article has been replaced by another, more recent article available here
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 12
PMC
posted 5/04/08 @ 2:20 PM CST
By all means, honor prominent and influential conservatives. However, I think that even most conservatives would agree that conferring an honorary degree upon a person who condones marital rape borders on insanity. (Continued…)
Steven S. Hoffmann
posted 5/04/08 @ 5:57 PM CST
This is another false controversy, invented by silly, sheltered fools. The anger is feigned, the moral indignation is a canard, designed to distract from the fact that the political statements that college students make are impotent: they never effect any change. (Continued…)
Jerome Bauer
posted 5/04/08 @ 7:20 PM CST
I joined the Facebook group to protest this, and posted it to my profile, because I think the University should not be giving honorary degrees to politicians or culture warriors, but only to scholars. (Continued…)
Norman Pressman
posted 5/05/08 @ 9:55 AM CST
I'm not suggesting that Ms. Schafly should be banned from speaking on campus the way the administration stopped Senator Obama. However, I'd like to know who nominated her and whether the vote wes unanimous. (Continued…)
Steven S. Hoffmann
posted 5/05/08 @ 2:45 PM CST
I think the double standard that is being shown here is really revealing. Again: I CAN'T STAND PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY, but I think the reaction to this is just nutty and fruity. (Continued…)
SuzieQ
posted 5/05/08 @ 3:55 PM CST
You go Girl! This is funny.
What a bunch of rabid know-nothings you all are.
I hope you protest till you tip the absurdity fulcrum and land on your butts. (Continued…)
Steven S. Hoffmann
posted 5/05/08 @ 7:10 PM CST
I especially enjoyed when Mary Ann Dzuback, director of women's and gender studies at Washington University "said that professors were stunned and angered to learn of the planned honor last week. (Continued…)
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