After two expensive events, some people at Cal Poly want to put a limit on how much money the school spends on extra security for campus events.
It would mean the university would be prohibited from spending tens of thousands of dollars every time a controversial figure comes to campus.
The proposal comes after the California State University system brought officers from all 23 campuses to San Luis Obispo. They spent more than $86,000 for safety and security during April’s Fake News Panel at Cal Poly featuring conservative speaker Milo Yiannopoulos.
That’s on top of the more than $55,000 spent when Yiannopoulos came to speak last year.
Cal Poly’s Academic Senate made the proposal Tuesday to cap security spending for guest speakers invited by student clubs.
If passed, the university would be prohibited from spending more than $5,000 per year, per club on security for invited speakers.
Student clubs would be responsible in advance for whatever dollar amount is needed for security costs beyond the $5,000.
Cal Poly says there has been no vote yet on the issue and add that any resolution passed by the senate that is not directly related to academic curriculum is "non-binding in nature and advisory only."
The Cal Poly College Republicans club, which helped bring Yiannopoulos to campus, says the proposed cap is unconstitutional and "A direct attempt to stifle free speech and will result in a less safe environment for all those who wish to participate in future Cal Poly affiliated club events."
