• The USAS-180/MDE meetings are student-sponsored, student-organized events, held at the invitation of a registered UO student group, the Survival Center. Arrangements for the meetings were initiated almost a year ago.

• The UO rents space for meetings to scores of groups every year. Like all universities, we take pride in our vital role as "an open marketplace of ideas." Like all universities, we allow groups, regardless of their beliefs, to express themselves freely as long as they abide by the law. Others taking advantage of this opportunity range from anti-abortion groups to pro-democracy activists; rock concerts to the Rotary Youth Exchange; Promise Keepers to the Jewish Federation of Lane County.

• People of good will and understanding can and do disagree with some messages of groups that come to campus. However, under state and federal law and UO policies, as long as the group’s activities are lawful and in accord with UO policies, we cannot limit the use of UO facilities because we disagree with the message. The courts have been quite clear about this.

• Costs for the USAS and 180/MDE conferences are covered by students and participants, through conference registration, rental and incidental fees.

• The UO’s willingness to make its facilities available to a wide range of groups should not be construed as support or endorsement for any particular organization’s position on issues.

• We share our community’s concern for public safety. The UO Office of Public Safety
works with both event organizers and local law enforcement to ensure a safe environment for both our community and conference participants.

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