Baylor apologizes for placing 'sensitive content' sign near 9/11 display

Baylor University is apologizing after placing a “sensitive content” sign near the Young Conservatives of Texas display of 2,977 flags in commemoration of those who were killed on 9/11.

According to a press release from the Young Conservatives of Texas, the flag-planting tradition occurred for years at Baylor’s campus. This year, however, Baylor Student Activities informed the group that it would place “expression activity” signs near the flags. The group learned of the signs less than 24 hours before the event. 

“We ask that the University formally apologize to the Baylor community for displaying the signs at our memorial in order to assert their commitment to the victims of 9/11,” the press release demanded.

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Baylor University has apologized to the Young Conservatives of Texas as well as the group’s advisor.

Baylor University Assistant Vice President of Media and Public Relations Lori Fogleman told Campus Reform that “Baylor University fully supports the 9/11 display of American flags depicting the thousands of lives lost as a result of the attacks that took place 19 years ago.” 

The university believes that the event was a “moving display,” she said.

“Out of reverence for the exhibit of flags and in knowing that its moving symbolism could evoke a wide range of emotions, signage was placed near the display notifying those who passed by of its potential impact,” said Fogleman. “This is a standard part of our process regarding outdoor displays which we implemented last year based on feedback from our campus community. We regret that the signage we used has taken away from the intent of the display and apologize for any misunderstanding this may have caused.”  

In an update to the university’s initial statement, Fogleman explained to Campus Reform that the university has instituted a new policy that will label all temporary on-campus displays “that may evoke an emotional reaction.”

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“In this case, the exhibit’s purpose was to remember the thousands of lives lost in the 9/11 attacks; in essence, it was a temporary memorial to those who died on that tragic day. Our process should have produced a notice informing students, faculty, staff, and visitors of the upcoming 9/11 display and reminding them of its solemn and reverential meaning. Unfortunately, the execution of this process was very poor,” Fogleman said.

Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @BenZeisloft