By Byron McCauley
Cincinnati Enquirer

Academia historically has been a laboratory in which students freely discuss thoughts and ideas - however controversial they may be.

In recent months, progressive Xavier University seems to be bucking that tradition.

First, the school killed a satellite telecast of a speech by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan; now it has canceled a student production of The Vagina Monologues. President Michael Graham said the school must be faithful to its Catholic, Jesuit character and the play is "not the appropriate vehicle" for the school to raise awareness about violence against women.

Yet three shows will be staged (today at 8 p.m., Saturday at 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., Gallagher Student Center Theater) because a tenured economics professor, Nancy Bertaux, intervened. Bertaux will include the production in a class that's part of Xavier's required E Pluribus Unum program, which examines cultural diversity, specifically stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination.

The Vagina Monologues is a strong play with adult content. In it, women talk about being sexually abused, including brutal, wartime rape, and genital mutilation. It has become a worldwide vehicle for raising awareness about violence against women. Local productions of the play raise money for community anti-violence groups. Xavier's production benefits the Women's Crisis Center.

Meanwhile, the administration's nonsupport has left the student body frustrated. A rally is scheduled at 3 p.m. today outside Gallagher Student Center to protest the cancellation and bring more attention to students', women's and human rights. Chris Sims, chairman of the Enrichment Committee for the Student Activities Council, which coordinates major activities on campus, said that support from the faculty is welcome, but the administration's actions still leave them perplexed.

It "comes down to where does censorship begin and end," she said. "We can only discuss things in the classroom and not in the theater. Why?" That's a question the administration should answer with clarity, and soon.