Regents put off decision on porn films
The University System of Maryland's board of regents has postponed deciding on a policy for showing pornographic films on public college campuses.
The regents were expected to take up the matter at their meeting Friday, but have deferred the issue until November.
"It's a question of wanting more time to sort through a complex issue — there's no precedent in the country," said Mike Lurie, a system spokesman.
No date has been set, but a decision is expected in time to meet a Dec. 1 deadline imposed after state lawmakers decided to require Maryland public universities and colleges to adopt a policy for showing films deemed obscene or forgo funding.
The legislature's action, taken in April, followed news that a film billed as XXX-rated was being shown in an on-campus theater at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Opponents argue that the First Amendment, which protects free speech, is the only policy needed.
The University System of Maryland Student Council voted Oct. 11 to oppose the policy but made recommendations to protect freedom of expression.
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