March 14, 2003

A Key Reason Presidents Should Not Speak Out

To the Editor:

In "When Should a College President Use the Bully Pulpit?" (The Review, February 7), Nannerl O. Keohane fails to mention an important question that presidents should consider before speaking out: Is the potential statement an attempt to influence legislation, or would it constitute participation in a candidate's political campaign, as prohibited under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code? That section, under which most institutions of higher education claim