Hearts of Gold
Pro-life message found to break school code
Lotis Butchko - Sports Editor
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: Campus News
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On the walls, floor, and even the stairs were anti-abortion messages. The messages read to the effect of "pro-life", "Abortion stops a beating heart", and "Bearkats for life" as an anti-abortion group posted messages on campus.
"I think it was a bit extreme," said Katelyn Slayter, a senior at Sam Houston.
Six colors of chalk told the stories as a litter of hearts were drawn all over the walls. The writing was left over the weekend and was still present Monday.
While Sam Houston State allows posting there is a policy which was violated by the posters. According to the department of student activities operational manual section five "The specific objective is to establish policies and practices pertaining to the distribution of printed materials on the university campus so as to provide an atmosphere conducive to the educational purposes of the university."
Calls to members of the anti-abortion group went unreturned.
The writing will more than likely be washed off by maintenance according to Dean John Yarabeck.
"We just have some people who got a bit overzealous," said Yarbeck. "More than likely this will just be cleaned up, I wouldn't expect anything else unless they continue to do this."
While some students never noticed the writing, others took it in a demeaning manner.
"I was offended," said one student who requested to remain anonymous.
While the freedom of speech was implored for messages like this, there is a line between a message and an offense.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 33
Sylvia
posted 11/17/09 @ 2:43 AM CST
As the Bearkats for Life president I would just like to inform everyone Bearkats for life didn't violate any school policies.Bearkats for Life did have permission from director of the LSC Danny Mcdaniel to chalk in the specific area we chalked in. (Continued…)
James Pinedo
posted 11/17/09 @ 5:21 AM CST
Wow, I am surprised at the Houstonian.
I'm not surprised that you are baised against this group, just surprised that you are foolish enough to make it so obvious. (Continued…)
Kristin B
posted 11/17/09 @ 8:25 AM CST
As an alumni of SHSU, I think it is incredibly sad that you would make your bias so well known. Use of the word "overzealous" does not match the situation. (Continued…)
Suzanna
posted 11/17/09 @ 8:38 AM CST
If our message on the LSC wall was offending, well your article Mr. Butchko offended our group.
Those hearts were never a stab at anyone. Our chalking was not against any school policies. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 11/17/09 @ 8:43 AM CST
It is obvious that in the opinion of the Houstonian's sports editor this act was inappropriate. Is this an opinion piece?
It seems to me that before publishing something on an issue that is often controversial, the Houstonian would have done a little more research and fact-checking. (Continued…)
Andie
posted 11/17/09 @ 8:57 AM CST
I thought the message was beautiful and it got a lot of students attention (which I think was the point).
Sylvia Correa de Mc
posted 11/17/09 @ 9:02 AM CST
No wonder, why we cannot believe what the media writes or says now days, if you cannot even verified your facts. Let's go ahead and pull out something our sleeves. (Continued…)
twoashers
Ross Asher
posted 11/17/09 @ 9:05 AM CST
What irony on behalf of the Houstonian.
"I was offended," said one student who requested to remain anonymous.
It is impossible to do or say anything without offending someone nowadays. (Continued…)
Whitney
posted 11/17/09 @ 9:49 AM CST
I think Bearkats for Life did a good thing for the campus! We are suppose to stand up for things and expecially for God, and I think they did not mean any harm or to affend anyone. (Continued…)
disruptive?
posted 11/17/09 @ 9:58 AM CST
I don't really understand how you can consider that disruptive to the academic environment. They were arguing a point, isn't that what academia is about, differing views coming together to argue a point?
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