Why UCCS Should Have Said “No” to Donald Trump

It’s clear to anyone that knows me that I’m not a fan of Donald Trump’s divisive views and policies. So, I had mixed feelings when I found out that he’ll be holding a rally at my alma mater the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Friday (July 29th). On the one hand, I support free speech and a candidate’s right to be heard (no matter how ridiculous their message may be in my opinion). On the other hand I believe that no benefit at all comes from listening to the man utter anything.

However, that’s not the reason that the University should have denied his campaign’s request to use University space for a rally. The reason is that his messaging and rhetoric stand in direct opposition to the University’s mission and values.

Upon doing some digging, I discovered the University’s policies regarding the use of University facilities.

Section 5.F.1 states:

Access to and use of UCCS facilities shall not disrupt the academic mission of the campus.

Ok, so what is the mission of the campus? It can be found here. I won’t include all of the text but let’s focus on one of the University’s core values — the value of Inclusiveness:

We value inclusive diversity as a foundation for teaching and scholarship that prepares students, faculty, staff and community members for both local and global multicultural realities. We provide an open, safe and supportive campus environment based on mutual respect, engagement and learning for everyone including those from the full spectrum of backgrounds, social identities, abilities, cultures, perspectives and university roles.

I won’t spend time explaining the multitude of ways that Donald Trump’s campaign directly opposes many facets of that University value — I think it’s perfectly clear.

Shame on UCCS for allowing a speaker whose rhetoric is the very antithesis to everything the University stand for.