Two politicians came to campus Thursday: (Oct. 12, 2006) the incumbent Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch and Christian Burridge, a Democratic candidate running for Utah's 3rd Congressional seat. A news release, posted on byu.edu Oct. 11, announced Hatch would appear in conjunction with the Bookstore's 100-Year-Celebration, but the university's Web site made no mention of Burridge's visit to campus.

Some students received mixed messages from the seemingly preferential attention. Patrick Nord, president of BYU College Democrats, said he was initially upset because he thought BYU has a strict policy of political neutrality. But he also conceded the Web site might have noted Hatch's visit because he is a prominent Utahn.

BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins told The Daily Universe on Tuesday that further review of the University

Handbook indicated that BYU Communications shouldn't have put the news release regarding Hatch on the Web site. We don't linger on this simple error merely for the sake of criticizing the administration, we understand mistakes happen.

It's no small understatement to say the University Handbook is as large and cumbersome as a textbook for any advanced class on campus. The academic policies alone amount to 49 different entries ranging from "Academic Freedom" to "Voluntary Faculty Termination-Resignation." So, instead of pointing fingers, we see the incident as an opportunity to reiterate some campus policies that are pertinent to the current election season.

Students need to educate themselves to become informed voters. They can visit candidates' Web sites, they can read the news, but there is nothing comparable with meeting the candidates in person. The handbook states the intent of the university is to prepare students for effective citizenship, which is why political candidates are welcome on campus. But, at the same time, the university must be judicious about how these events are publicized.

There are political candidates who would love to capitalize on a perceived relationship with an institution like BYU. They know there are vulnerable audiences in Utah who could accidentally equate a BYU "endorsement" with a church leadership "endorsement," even though the First Presidency does not endorse any particular party. That is why the university policy states, "Groups sponsoring candidates whose appearance is to be publicized beyond individual classes must obtain clearance from the responsible vice president and observe the rules covering guest speakers."

Some would argue the policy gives students inadequate notice about political events. In reality, the policy just requires the sponsor group to plan in advance and spread the word around campus.

The university's policy doesn't attempt to deter political speakers from coming to campus; it only requires that certain protocol be followed because if the policy is compromised, there is a perceived breach of political neutrality. Just as some people thought happened last week.

Copyright Brigham Young University 18 Oct 2006