UVSC looking to invite Hannity

OREM — Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore won't be the only one to stoke the political fires at Utah Valley State College as the November election approaches.

In an attempt to quell the controversy that has arisen over plans to host the filmmaker as a guest speaker on campus, UVSC President William Sederberg announced Wednesday that he has asked student leadership to schedule a conservative speaker as well.

"That was actually the plan all along," said student body Vice President Joe Vogel. "Surprisingly, Michael Moore was the (speaker) that was finalized first."

According to Vogel, the student body presidency is already negotiating with high-profile conservatives, namely talk show host Sean Hannity and Michael Reagan, son of former president Ronald Reagan. Vogel also contacted Sen. John McCain, a public supporter of George W. Bush, but the senator said he could not come.

The selected speaker will be scheduled within a week of Moore's remarks in an attempt to provide an informative and balanced political dialogue for the public.

"The way I view it is, you send your kids off to get an education and learn the ways of the world, and that's what we're trying to do," said student body president Jim Bassi. "It has nothing at all to do with our personal political affiliation."

Though Bassi and Vogel say their political affiliations are "open minded" yet lean toward the Republican Party, the two have been the target of angry complaints made by students and disconcerted members of the community who oppose Moore's appearance.

"Most of these people who are complaining haven't even seen Michael Moore's films," Vogel said. "But they hate Michael Moore, so they hate us."

Vogel said he heard rumors of a petition being circulated that encouraged students to remove him and Bassi from office. He also received several angry e-mails, one of which said he should be "tarred, feathered and run out of the state."

As precautionary measures, Vogel and Bassi visited the student records office and had their personal contact information removed from public record.

"I think they (Vogel and Bassi) might be a little surprised on the reaction they're getting," said UVSC spokesman Derek Hall. "They're young, they're students. I think they're making an impact on the community."

Bassi and Vogel told Sederberg on Friday about the finalized plans for Moore's visit. Though the school's president provides advice to the student leadership on certain activities, the students are allowed to make the final decision.