PSU Prez Takes Heat From Lawmakers Over Ayers Appearance

By Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) --- As state budget hearings continued yesterday, Penn State's president found himself in the hot seat over a recent appearance by the co-founder of a violent anti-war group.

Penn State President Eric Barron found himself under fire for last week's appearance at the university's Dickinson Law School by Weather Underground co-founder William Ayers. In one case, Barron responded to questions from State Representative Jeff Pyle, a Republican from Armstrong County.

BARRON: "We're in an interesting world where universities are cancelling speeches by George Will and Condoleeza Rice…"
PYLE: "But not Bill Ayers, leader of the Weather Underground."
BARRON: "Yes, I understand perfectly. And I have to separate my personal opinion from what it is that is my duty."

Barron says Ayers appearance was paid for with student fees that are allocated by students, not the university, and that the Supreme Court has upheld a ban on universities interfering with those expenditures.

In:
• Penn State
• Pennsylvania State University