“I was fully aware of the difficulty YAF experienced in finding an adequate venue for the event. In my opinion, the University demonstrated a strong bias against a conservative message being presented to students on campus.”
Furthermore, this alumnus experienced a senior employee of the University berating YAF spokesman Spencer Brown, over accusations made by the Foundation that have since been proven true by internal emails between top level administrators at the U of M obtained by Young America’s Foundation:“Also, the night of the lecture I was a witness to a very unprofessional confrontation of a young YAF spokesman by a representative of the University. This YAF spokesman is a Minnesota native and was there with his mother. The University representative confronted the YAF spokesman while he was speaking with his mother and accused him of being a ‘pathological liar’ repeatedly. It was embarrassing for all in the vicinity of the confrontation. As a University Alumnus it was a further illustration of the bias I felt the University had demonstrated for a long time.”
In closing his letter to University President Eric Kaler, the anonymous alumnus adds that he hopes “the University re-evaluates itself and truly adopts a free speech policy with equal access for all political viewpoints.” Echoing Young America’s Foundation’s belief that intellectual diversity is key to higher education, the alumnus says, “I believe the University serves its students when speakers like Ben Shapiro are welcomed… The University demeans its mission when it mistreats or ignores conservative scholarship and conservative students.” “This is now the second University of Minnesota alumnus who has come forward to withdraw financial support,” noted Young America’s Foundation Spokesman Spencer Brown. “What we’re seeing are alumni rightfully refusing to give back to the institutions that oppose and even censor their ideas. This patriotic alumnus should be applauded for his decision to hold his alma mater accountable for its anti-conservative and unconstitutional actions. It is because of freedom-minded supporters such as this that Young America’s Foundation is able to sue the University of Minnesota to ensure all students have the ability to exercise their First Amendment freedoms.”
