The Catholic University speaker policy will become more stringent in the period leading up to the presidential election, according to the University Center for Student Programs and Events.

The policy has prohibited clubs from bringing speakers to campus who hold views contrary to the Catholic Church, will now prohibit speakers who are running for office. This includes local, state and national politicians who are up for re-election. It is not clear on whether substitutes, such as campaigner’s family members, or advisors would be allowed on campus.

This has been a controversial issue since 2004, when Rev. David M. O’Connell, University president, who initially banned campaigning politicians from speaking on campus, gave a benediction at a Republican Election day celebration, before election results were in. To avoid the appearance of a University endorsement, O’Connell had declared in 2001 that campaigning politicians were not allowed to speak on campus.

Set out in the student life policies, the speakers and presentations policy states that the “Freedom to express oneself…may be constrained in a private university by other values which are held to be equal, greater or prior.”

It adds that the University is not required to allow speakers whose values are contrary to those of the Catholic Church, though it concludes “With all presentations, it is understood that speakers…do not necessarily reflect the views and values of the University or of the Roman Catholic Church.” …