The Cornell Coalition for Life posted anti-abortion signs along the Engineering Quad in the early morning hours of Oct. 22, but they were removed by an Engineering College staff member out of concern that proper authorizations had not been received. Some people on campus have suggested that the removal of the signs was an effort to stifle freedom of speech.

Both Cornell Vice President for University Communications Tommy Bruce and Kent Fuchs, dean of the engineering college and Cornell's next provost, issued statements Oct. 23 to the contrary, explaining that the signs were returned and reposted later that morning once it was learned that the group had received the proper authorizations to install the signs.

"We are aware that some have attempted to cast this incident in the context of the stifling of freedom of speech," said Bruce's statement, posted in full at http://pressoffice.cornell.edu/Oct08/eng.quad.poster.statement.shtml. "Nothing could be further from the truth. This university has and will continue to respect and uphold the free-speech rights of all members of the Cornell community. And we continue to adhere to the principle that, in President David Skorton's words, 'all perspectives and their proponents are welcome on our great university's campuses.'"

Similarly, Fuchs said, "A news release is now circulating that suggests the removal of the signs was the result of a disagreement with the sign content and was an effort to stifle freedom of speech." The release also implied, he said, that the college withheld permission to repost the signs. "These implications are not true," wrote Fuchs in his statement, posted in full at http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/news/dean-message.cfm.

His statement continued: "The question was entirely one of permissions and approvals. Permission to repost was granted within minutes of confirming that the students had received approval to post the signs.

"However, this incident does suggest that we need clearer and well communicated guidelines on use of the quad for posting and displays. We will work with our colleagues at the university level to examine our guidelines, both formal and informal, and we will clarify our official policy and how it will be enforced."

Fuchs' statement concluded: "As a community of individuals, we will always have differing ideas and opinions; I would ask that, as a community of scholars, we discuss those differences in an environment of mutual respect and courtesy."