Arts and Culture

Editorial: Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Has Attacked Campus Free Speech

On May 23, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, and professional tennis player and activist Billie Jean King will speak on a Women in Leadership panel hosted by the nonprofit Sally Ride Science at UCSD. But Secretary Rice requests a special condition: no news media allowed.

Ironically, journalist and author Lynn Sherr will moderate the discussion, while journalists, including student reporters, will be turned away at the door.

Secretary Rice has not given an explanation for her request. The university has said that not all events are open to the public.

Sally Ride Science is housed on the UC San Diego campus and shares staff with UCSD Extension, meaning that public funding and student tuition are a substantial part of the makeup of this organization. Sally Ride is paying out $21,000 in speaking fees, while a Price Center reservation costs upwards of $500.

This instance is just another example of campus foundations granted special status, allowing them to benefit from the resources students help provide, without having to be subject to public accountability. It cannot be allowed to continue.

UCSD’s decision to uphold Secretary Rice’s request is a contradiction of its support of freedom of speech, but this event has failed to stir the usual campus free speech outrage. Private event or otherwise, Sally Ride Science is part of the fabric of the campus and must be subject to the same scrutiny to which other aspects of the public university are subject. This includes the right of students, specifically student journalists, to attend and inform others.

In this current culture of toxic distrust of news media, it is more important than ever that UCSD administration supports the right of the press to cover events.

Editorials represent the majority opinion of The Triton Editorial Board. This article was jointly written by Mo Al Elew, Shine Cho, Paige Prudhon, and Gabe Schneider. If you’d like to submit a response, or comment on a different issue affecting the UC community, please submit here.

Leave a Comment

View Comments

  • Fantastic blog you have here but I was wondering if you knew of
    any message boards that cover the same topics discussed here?
    I'd really love to be a part of group where I can get feedback from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest.
    If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Thanks!

  • It's an remarkable article designed for all the internet visitors; they
    will get benefit from it I am sure.

  • First of all I want to say fantastic blog! I had a quick question which
    I'd like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear
    your thoughts before writing. I have had trouble clearing my
    thoughts in getting my ideas out there. I truly do enjoy writing but it just
    seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be lost
    simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any recommendations or hints?
    Thanks!

  • Thank you for all of your efforts on this web
    site. Debby really likes going through investigations and
    it is easy to understand why. A number of us notice all of the
    lively means you make vital guidelines by means of the blog
    and even recommend response from people on that concern then our favorite child is truly discovering a lot of things.
    Take pleasure in the rest of the year. Your conducting
    a wonderful job.

    my site Sage Elixir

  • I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.

    I'll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.

    I'm quite sure I will learn plenty of new stuff right here!

    Good luck for the next!

    Here is my site: Drone Max V2 Reviews

  • I don't know if it's just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing problems with your site.
    It looks like some of the text on your posts are running off the
    screen. Can someone else please comment and let me know if
    this is happening to them as well? This may be a issue with my internet
    browser because I've had this happen before. Thank you

  • An outstanding share! I've just forwarded this onto a friend
    who had been doing a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me dinner because
    I stumbled upon it for him... lol. So let me reword this....
    Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this
    issue here on your blog.

    my web site ... Radical Slim Keto Review

  • Hello! I've been following your weblog for a long
    time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you
    a shout out from Lubbock Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job!

    my homepage Testo Fit Extreme Review

Recent Posts

AFSCME Local 3299 Initiates Unfair Labor Practices Strike Across UC

On November 20, 2024, at 12:00 A.M., the American Federation of State, County and Municipal…

2 days ago

Cut to State Funding of UC System Causes Changes in Geisel Services

On September 19, UC San Diego announced changes to library services beginning September 23 in…

2 weeks ago

UCSD’s First Professor of Practice Faces Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

UC San Diego’s first ‘Professor of Practice’ and former County Supervisor, Nathan Fletcher, has been…

2 weeks ago

Live Updates: Unidentified Death in Geisel Library

Wednesday, November 6,  1:50 P.M. Update On Nov. 6 at approximately 11:35 A.M., an unidentified…

3 weeks ago

Photo Essay: Palestinian Youth Movement Rally and March

On July 28, 1:00 p.m. the Palestinian Youth Movement(PYM) organized a rally at the San…

2 months ago

Submission: You Wrote Them in the Cruelest Way

Words matter. Words can reveal hidden depths or conceal them. Words can bring people together…

5 months ago