I heard Jon Stewart say a while back that the Bush administration made it easy to be a witty critic, as it was constantly supplying good material for comedy and outrage.

Sometimes I feel that way about our administration here at the University. This weekend, the listservs were on fire with indignation following the latest hilariously bad administration decision.

Clarence Thomas. As the commencement speaker. To commemorate ….the semester when sexual harassment on campus was front page news?

Unbelievable.

I believe the selection of Thomas was a deliberate slap across the face to women on campus and to the entire community that has tried to remedy the culture and policies that allow for sexual harassment.

Many of the students marching in the class of 2008 were too young to observe the 1991 hearings in which Anita Hill testified to the sexual harassment she had experienced working with Thomas.

Professors across campus are getting hold of the footage of Anita Hill testifying about the lewd treatment she endured from Thomas, complete with references to her pubic hair and his penis. At the very least, the graduates should be informed of this testimony against the man they are being asked to applaud.

Anita, I still believe you.

Others have insisted Thomas represents a terrific asset.

Therein lies the problem. How can the poster child of sexual harassment be a desirable association? Maybe Thomas is a star – for the same people who write letters of recommendation for slimy golf coaches or the same University lawyers who honor contracts following dishonorable behavior.

And maybe for the same University president who recently promised to make necessary changes to rectify the campus crisis of sexual harassment.

President Michael Adams committed to establishing a women’s center but warned space on campus was limited and money tight. He took one step forward.

But now he has taken two steps back.

President Adams: Please get back on the right track. Please announce immediately that the invitation to Thomas has been withdrawn because it deviates from the spirit of your pledge. Please also announce that any money associated with Thomas’ cancelled visit will be committed instead to the women’s center.

And please stop making my job here on campus so difficult. It’s finals time and I have a lot of work to do. Plus, I want to hang out with my students and meet their parents at graduation.

If I must, after I shake their hands and congratulate them on putting their fine sons and daughters through college, I’ll explain why I’m wearing a sign across my gown protesting the climate of harassment at the University.

- Amy Ross is an associate professor in the department of geography.