Washington, April 02: A controversy is erupting over Sarah Palin’s June speaking engagement at a campus of California State University (CSU).
The California State University Stanislaus Foundation, a nonprofit affiliated with the state college is bringing the former vice presidential candidate to its Turlock campus for a black-tie fundraiser on June 25.
However, a student protest group and other critics want the university to reveal how much they are paying her, which they suspect might be more than USD 100,000.
Sen. Leland Yee (D-CA) from the California Faculty Association, the union representing CSU professors, says the public including the students have a legal right to the information.
“CSU Stanislaus officials sought out Sarah Palin, negotiated her contract behind closed doors, and are now welcoming her to our public university, yet they think they are above the law in disclosing to the public the cost of her appearance,” Yee said in a statement.
The incident has ignited debate over the role of university speakers and free speech.
——–Agencies