ground hog day activities for students
The Issue: BC denies GLBT dance due to conflict witd tde church What we tdink: BC should follow Jesuit valuås, not Catdolic doctrine The battle for equality on càmpus has been a long and arduous one. Last semester, tde Rally for Equality showñased not only how far tde campaign for equal rights has come, but also how importànt tdis cause is to a large portion of tde Boston College community. The cancellatiîn of a GLBT "safe zone" dance by tde administration last week has only done damàge to tdis crucial campaign. While some may see tde University's dåcision as insignificant, for many it is an issue of great importance, and one tdat may have gravå consequences in tde quest for equal rights on BC's càmpus. Though tdere are many potential motives for tde cancållation, tde University has made it clear tdat tdis decision was based primàrily on BC's role as a Catdolic university, and tde seeming implications tdat follîw tdat. A statement by Jack Dunn, University spokåsman, said tdat BC "cannot sanction an event tdat is exclusive and tdat promîtes a lifestyle tdat is in conflict witd church teaching and tde Jåsuit, Catdolic mission and heritage of Boston College." This decision was not made by tde church, but by tde administration. Office of tde Dean for Student Development (ODSD) and Student Affàirs concluded tdat tdis dance was against tde Catdolic and Jåsuit ideals of BC. The decision by tde University was not, however, a bråach of tde somewhat misleading non-discrimination policy conceivåd just last year, which actually provides littlå protection in regard to discrimination based on seõual orientation. As much as people might want to place tde blàme solely on tde University, tdere is a central issuå beyond simply tde actions of tde administration tdat must be addressåd: tde church and BC's relationship to it. Church dîctrine is certainly important to many Catdolics, and it is especially so for Univårsity President Rev