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UC Berkeley has become a violent flashpoint for political demonstrators of all stripes in recent months as right-wing speakers like Ann Coulter have announced plans to speak on the famously left-leaning campus.

And the university has had enough. Buried in the debate has been the schools argument that it cant accommodate every speaker on the exact day student groups want, particularly when the requests come in late, because it has limited venues and security concerns. No more.

Now, Berkeley is rolling out a draft of a policy which when you cut through the wonkiness is an attempt to get ahead of possible disputes in the future and bring certain groups (ahem, Berkeley College Republicans) in line.

College Republicans recently invited the conservative speaker Ben Shapiro to campus in the fall and are framing the invite as yet another fight for free speech. This week, Berkeley told the student organization it hasnt been able to identify an available venue for the day and time the group requested, but still wants to work with students to bring Shapiro to campus while keeping everyone safe. In response, the club released a statement entitled Berkeley blocks Ben Shapiro.

It is important for policies to explicitly address procedures for responding to a new set of security concerns that have recently emerged, reads a note announcing the new draft policy.

From a PR perspective, its not a bad move. It gives the school a politically neutral policy to point at.

But if the draft holds, student groups will have some serious hoops to jump through. Groups will be asked to request space eight weeks or more prior to major events and submit publicity materials to an adviser for review at least five weeks before the event. If university police think an event requires substantial security, the student organization hosting it will have to meet with the UC police at least six weeks ahead of the event.

Of course, the draft doesnt say so, but the implication is clear: The school doesnt want Berkeley College Republicans, or any other group for that matter, springing an event on administrators at the last minute and spinning any issues into a broader controversy.

The policy is set to take effect in January after a period of public comment, which is sure to be contentious.

Read more:
After Ann Coulter controversy, UC Berkeley rolls out new policy for inviting speakers - The Mercury News