Profiles in Caution

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, Sept. 26 — A federal lawsuit has been filed to eject military recruiters from college campuses because of the military's “don't ask, don't tell” policy regarding homosexuality conflicts with the schools' antidiscrimination codes.

In an editorial, the Journal said the suit brought to mind the example of Grove City College, a tiny Protestant institution in Pennsylvania that, following a protracted legal battle, won its freedom from any control by the federal government in 1984 when it told its students they could not accept Pell Grants and remain enrolled.

“Do any of the schools and professors now arguing for their right to discriminate against the military,” the newspaper asked, “have the integrity to do the same?”

On to Atlanta

MOBILE REGISTER, Sept. 25 — Alabama's Spring Hill College is considering establishing a branch campus in Atlanta aimed at educating adults, the Mobile, Ala., daily reported. If trustees approve, the campus could open as soon as next fall.

While Spring Hill already offers some graduate courses in Atlanta and Jackson, Miss., those “satellites operate on a shoestring basis out of local Catholic churches,” the paper reported.

For its new effort, the Mobile Register said, Spring Hill “would probably have to rent a building, hire staff and advertise its classes.”

West Wing Rosary

THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL, Sept. 20 — Actor Martin Sheen was given an honorary doctorate by Marquette University for his support of Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker Movement during the dedication of the university's new library.

Sheen has been quoted as saying: “I personally am opposed to abortion, but I will not judge anybody else's right in that regard …”

“I wouldn't argue that Sheen is a bad person,” Cardinal Newman Society President Patrick Reilly, said, but “certainly Marquette can find better role models whose morality is consistent with Catholic teaching.”

Sheen, who plays President Josiah Bartlet on TV's “The West Wing,” also told a press conference that, like his character, he carries a rosary with him at all times and has “come to love the rosary.”

If It Ain't Broke …

TOLEDO BLADE, Sept. 28 — Lourdes College, a school in Sylvania, Ohio, serving commuters and older students who go to class at night, is going to stick with its mission and “drop plans to raise the college's profile,” the Toledo, Ohio, daily reported.

Instead of new dorms and more sports teams, officials say they will now emphasize academics.

Also to be retained at the college, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, is the image of St. Francis, which adorns many campus buildings. “The famous saint may have died in 1226,” the Blade noted, “but he is alive and well in Sylvania.”

Online Learning

WHEELING JESUIT, Sept. 25 — The university has expanded its distance-learning program with the launch of a new program leading to a bachelor of science degree in health care leadership.

As with other distance-learning programs, students typically meet on campus only one weekend at the beginning of each semester and do the remaining coursework online.