Gow shouldn’t apologize for controversial talk during free speech week

One might think that a celebration of free speech would be a bit controversial. Who would have thought inviting a former porn star to a university would generate this much commotion? UW La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow found himself in hot water after spending student fees to bring Nina Hartley to campus to discuss issues related to sexuality. Gow has since apologized to students and staff, and even personally refunded the $5000 spent to bring her to campus. Gow should have done neither. In fact, Gow’s handling of the controversy is rather curious. He purposely chose not to promote the event outside of the university, clearly cautious the discussion of sex related issues may be too much for some. But later he said he was naive in not recognizing the potential for blow back. Those comments seem in conflict. And isn’t in the proper role of any university to challenge people’s thinking, and to discuss topics some may find uncomfortable? Isn’t that how students learn, and shape their own beliefs? Some say student fees shouldn’t go to someone to talk about pornography. But when I was in college, student fees paid for both Phylllis Schaffly and Hunter S. Thompson to speak on campus in the same year. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum. Those who liked, or didn’t like the message of either speaker could go to listen, or protest, or not go at all. By paying the bill himself, Gow seems to suggest this was a mistake, something that won’t happen again. But shouldn’t a celebration of free speech be about promoting free speech, rather than apologizing for it?