I consider myself a loyal graduate of Bates College, but I am appalled by the shocking violation of academic freedom exhibited by new Bates President Elaine Hansen in restricting access to her non-Republican faculty and students at an on-campus meeting about a subject of national interest. I consider the decision not only a grave violation of academic freedom but also of the spirit of free inquiry which Bates has always stood for.

Any trenchant comments the Bush sisters might offer on United States’ policy deserve to be heard by all Bates faculty and students, not just by “Republican supporters.” (When the Kerry representative spoke, there was no such restriction.) An invitation-only speech with tightly restricted attendance might be understandable for an academic or avocational topic of limited interest (say, the Ski Club). But a speech of vital concern to all Bates faculty and students that denies freedom of access is shocking (with no questions whatsoever permitted, even by Republican attendees).

Bates’ decision to allow its long-respected reputation to be used as a shill in a highly politicized manner is simply wrong-headed.

Has Bates insisted on restriction of access to its previously invited political speakers of national interest? If so, the spirit of free inquiry that Bates has always respected has been gravely corrupted. And deliberately placing the Bush representatives in a meeting space of small capacity is simply finessing the question.

Under these circumstances, Ms. Bush’s description of her father as “open-minded” is ludicrously questionable.

Robert L. Hobbs, Raymond