Earlier this week, we reported that Providence College, a Catholic school, was not allowing a talk by a professor who is an advocate for gay marriage. The school has now given in to complaints from liberal students and faculty.

Scott Jaschik of Inside Higher Ed reports.

Who Can Speak at Providence?

Providence College announced late Wednesday that, under certain conditions, it would permit a lecture by a philosopher who is an advocate of same-sex marriage. And the college now says that, when it canceled the appearance of John Corvino, it was really trying to reschedule the event, not call it off.

While Wednesday’s announcement clears the way for Corvino to appear on the campus, it may not resolve issues raised by the incident, such as the college seeming to impose a requirement that all speakers on controversial topics have a rebuttal speaker, and whether the college is applying to academic speakers rules set by Roman Catholic bishops for politicians.

Corvino — chair of philosophy at Wayne State University and a proponent of same-sex marriage — was to have appeared at the college. He is a popular speaker on many campuses, and frequently appears with those who disagree with his position. Organizers of his Providence appearance, when told the college was concerned that he would express views inconsistent with Catholic teachings, added Dana Dillon, a theologian at the college, to the program. She was to speak immediately after Corvino, and to offer a Catholic perspective.

Note to conservative college students: Next time someone tells you that Ann Coulter isn’t allowed to speak on campus, don’t back down.