Boston College uses lease proposal to gain control over student newspaper

MASSACHUSETTS — Boston College officials wantthe university’s student newspaper to sign a lease for office space that would,among other things, require the newspaper to refuse advertisements for abortionor birth-control services and alcohol or tobacco products and to adopt anadvisory board.Editors at the independent newspaper, The Heights,say the lease terms are an attempt by the private Jesuit university to limittheir independence.”The Heights has been independent since 1971,”said Nancy Reardon, editor in chief of The Heights. “We cherish ourposition as a free press above all else, and we are unwilling to sign a leasethat would compromise that cherished value.”The lease proposal, a copyof which was obtained by the Student Press Law Center, would require TheHeights to: