Marquette bans feminist play
University calls it too distracting; critics say move limits free speech
By MEGAN TWOHEY
Posted: Mar. 8, 2006

Marquette University has prevented "The Vagina Monologues" from being performed on campus this month, joining half a dozen Catholic universities that have banned the feminist play.
Marquette's vice president of student affairs said he denied a student group's request to produce the "The Vagina Monologues" because he thought it would be too distracting. The move comes as a national organization works to make response to the play a litmus test for Catholic universities.

While the decision drew applause from the organization and some students, critics said Marquette had undermined its commitment to the free exchange of ideas.

In recent years, the administration has banned student organizations that support gay rights, birth control and military snipers in Iraq on the grounds that they are out of step with Catholic values. As critics see it, restricting free speech compromises the university's academic integrity.
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