College Bans War Talk

Irvine Valley College has banned classroom discussions of the war with Iraq unless they are linked to course work after a sobbing student complained about a professor´s anti-war remarks.

A memo sent to deans this week said it was “professionally inappropriate” for instructors to discuss the war unless their courses directly involved the conflict. The memo was from Vice President of Academic Instruction Dennis White, who said Friday that he wanted to protect students. Students and faculty members say the issue came up after a student with a loved one in the military went to the counseling office in tears following a professor´s anti-war remarks.

White´s memo prompted a mixed reaction from students and faculty. One student said she found it “insulting” not to be able to discuss the war in class.