Polygamy Safety Net booted from college campus

ST. GEORGE — A committee to help victims of abuse and neglect within a closed polygamous society won't be allowed to meet at a community college in Colorado City, Ariz.

"In an attempt to serve all populations of our communities, (Mohave Community College) administration has taken a stand to maintain a neutral, safe zone for all who wish to seek an education," Susan Hammon, the dean of the school, wrote in a letter made public at Thursday's meeting of the Safety Net Committee here.

"Many organizations such as the Safety Net provide valuable services to the area; however, Safety Net does land under the category of a political organization. To this end we are asking Safety Net and other committees with political ties to seek another location for their local meetings."

The decision has left the Safety Net seeking a new place to meet.

"I have to respect that the Safety Net does have a political connotation, and if it is keeping certain students from attending … we don't want to get in the way of education," said Pat Merkeley, the committee coordinator.

Members of the committee are considering other buildings within Colorado City, including public schools. The school recently opted not to renew the leases of county, state and federal offices that were housed in a trailer on its property. The community is home to members of the Fundamentalist LDS Church.

The Safety Net Committee is a coalition of government agencies, social welfare groups, polygamists and activists seeking to combat abuse and neglect in isolated communities.

— Ben Winslow