A set of lobbyists have succeeded in convincing the federal government to consider withholding funding from Middle East Centers in universities across the country.

Their justification is that the centers’ usefulness was tested and found lacking by their inability to predict the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

It is also believed the centers teach anti-American sentiment concerning Middle East foreign policy.

The lobbyists are demanding Middle East Centers to “follow federal guidelines” in order to get their federal funding back. These “guidelines” are basically orders to teach with more American friendly tones and to be supportive of U.S. policy toward the Middle East.

There are two things wrong with this demand. The first and most pragmatic is that where there’s no problem, no improvement can be made.

The U’s Middle East Center is not anti-American, and one must question whether other centers are at other schools.

Numerous students have said they find the classes taught by the center to be MORE balanced than those taught in political science and sociology programs here at the U.

The lecture series sponsored by the center has brought officials from the Israeli government and other supporters of American foreign policy. It has also brought speakers from the Palestinian Authority and other organizations unhappy with American policy.

What more is expected from them?

The second problem with this proposed legislation, and the most dangerous, is its infringement on academic freedom.

This kind of imposition of Big Brother or the Gestapo into our classrooms reeks of the same hypocritical despotism manifest in the USA Patriot Act.

Micromanagement by federal officials into university classrooms is not only unnecessary, but also unwanted.

It is not the purpose of the university to increase patriotism-the purpose is to educate so students are more responsible citizens.

Federal funding is given to universities to create better- educated citizens who vote and serve in government.

If the government wants drones, they can keep their money.

Write your congressmen and tell them to leave the centers alone.