SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Education -- CSUSM president revokes invitation to Michael Moore

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Education -- CSUSM president revokes invitation to Michael Moore: "SAN MARCOS – University officials have rescinded their invitation to controversial Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore.

The move surprised students and faculty, because late Friday, the student government at California State University San Marcos overwhelmingly approved Moore's appearance and partial payment for the Oct. 13 event – and the approval had been sought by the university.

But Monday, university President Karen Haynes called it off.

According to an e-mail she sent to some faculty and students, the president didn't want Moore speaking on campus before the election because she felt the university would be unable to get a conservative whose stature ranks with Moore's. Haynes was unavailable for comment yesterday and her office referred all calls to a campus spokesman.

"Universities are about the exchange of ideas," Haynes said in her brief e-mail. "Some ideas are uncomfortable, but being exposed to them is how we become confident of our own beliefs and values. That said, however, it is important that discussions be balanced."

But student government official Roy Lee said he plans to ask Moore to come anyway, at a reduced fee, now that the university has withdrawn its support.


By Lisa Petrillo
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER