UM Reaffirms Commitment to Free Speech After Kirk’s Assassination
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Following the tragic assassination of Turning Point’s Charlie Kirk on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, I reached out to our own University of Montana and Director of Communications Dave Kuntz, who praised President Seth Bodnar for his total support of free speech at UM.
UM President Bodnar Champions Free Speech on Campus
“Since President Bodnar took over here at UM, it's really been a principal foundation of the university to be a champion of free speech and free expression and the free exchange of ideas, and it's something that we've really worked with our student body on now for many years, to understand how pivotal that is, not just to our campus culture and the mission of higher education, but really to our democracy too,” began Kuntz.
Kuntz recalled the visit by Charlie Kirk to the UM campus last year.
Charlie Kirk Visited UM a Year Ago for a Series of Events
“About a year ago, we did have Charlie Kirk here on campus for a series of events over the course of a day that were really heavily attended by our students,” he said. “Then, after yesterday's tragedy, President Bodnar felt very strongly to make a statement in light of that situation, to really double down on the University of Montana's commitment to free speech and free ideas and the expression of debate on campus, and really condemn political violence in its very form.”
Kuntz also emphasized President Bodnar’s commitment to the 1st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
President Bodnar is Committed to Supporting the 1st Amendment
“Something that we will carry on here and instill in our students is, regardless of your beliefs on a certain issue or your political ideas and affiliation, what we really want is to ensure that every student graduates from the University of Montana with a strong, fundamental appreciation of our First Amendment rights,” he said.
Kuntz said UM has specific safety-related agencies to provide security for any campus event.
UM Spokesman Praised the Campus Preparedness and Response Group
“We’re really lucky here at the University of Montana, because we have a group of folks that we call the Campus Preparedness and Response Group that is made up of our police and our facilities managers, and our folks who oversee insurance and legal counsel,” he said. “They meet weekly to walk through events that both are in the rear view mirror, and have yet to happen, to really double down on our security efforts to keep students safe and visitors safe.”
Kuntz said any student can reach out to the UM Curry Health Center on campus to get the help they need, should they feel the need for counseling or protection in any situation.