UIW Supports 1st Amendment After All

After national pressure, the University of Incarnate Word has reinstated its subscription to the New York Times after canceling it last week. The Express-News reported the story Saturday, one day after the story broke.

Sadly, Dean of Library Services Mendell Morgan did not admit that he was censoring the press at the University when he announced either the cancellation or the purchase of the NYT subscription.

"In retrospect, I made a personal decision perhaps in too great haste and did not seek other input," Morgan said, speaking in front of the university's library. "I wanted to send a message in protest."

Mendell added, "I do abhor censorship and its implications."

It is good to see Mendell acknowledge that the cancellation is tantamount to censorship and that those that objected to the rash and sudden behavior had legitimate grievances.

But those who opposed Morgan's decision to remove the Times, including library staffers Jennifer Romo and Tom Rice, argued it was wrong to deny students access to the newspaper because of a personal disagreement with its coverage. Romo and Rice criticized the action publicly.

Though the campus was nearly empty Friday, two students who stumbled on the news conference said they strongly disagreed with the cancellation.

"What disturbed me is that Morgan didn't seem to realize there was anything wrong with his decision," said Joan Braune, a recent graduate and president of the campus chapter of Amnesty International. "Our tuition and fees pay for his salary and library services and he decided to speak in our name without any input."

After all is said and done, Morgan needs to be applauded for listening to the students, faculty, and community. However, it is sad to see a Dean act in a political way instead of consulting others and working in the best interest of the students.