EDITORIAL: At Last

University President JudithUniversity President JudithRodin's stance on freeUniversity President JudithRodin's stance on freespeech is both hearteningUniversity President JudithRodin's stance on freespeech is both hearteningand reassuring as theUniversity President JudithRodin's stance on freespeech is both hearteningand reassuring as theUniversity debates fundingUniversity President JudithRodin's stance on freespeech is both hearteningand reassuring as theUniversity debates fundingfor the Red and Blue.University President JudithRodin's stance on freespeech is both hearteningand reassuring as theUniversity debates fundingfor the Red and Blue._____________________________ In a statement about the Student Activities Council's refusal to fund The Red and Blue because of its political orientation, Rodin made it perfectly clear that "decisions to fund or not fund a student organization at Penn cannot be based purely on the content of the organization's oral or written speech." The litmus test SAC used to decide the fate of The Red and Blue, in other words, was wrong. To silence an organization, even if political, belittles the notion of freedom of expression. We are also pleased to hear that us that SAC agreed yesterday to revisit its decision to deny funding to the magazine. The group's decision is a respectable admission of its procedural and substantive errors and shows a willingness to move on. In addition, SAC's commitment to examine and immediately clarify its funding guidelines to be consistent with the University's Code of Student Conduct and Guidelines on Open Expression is to be commended. While initially it appeared that little could be learned from this funding fiasco, students and administrators are working together to make corrections for the future. This is the best, most productive student government reform of all. Now it is up to the individual SAC representatives to show a willingness to put their differences behind them so that the University can once again find the road to free speech.