A frequent refrain in Utah County, which prides itself on being one of the most conservative communities in the country, is that its public institution of higher education, Utah Valley State College, should reflect "community values." Generally, the argument goes something like this: local taxpayers, who support the school, should not have to tolerate events that fail to reflect the common morality. This includes events involving invited speakers. In this article, the author talks about the tension between the adherence of "community values" and academic freedom in UVSC. The author's recent experience as director of the Center for the Study of Ethics has persuaded him that public institutions of higher education must remain true and faithful to their indispensable role in an open, democratic, pluralistic society. Although colleges and universities must acknowledge and respect the unique values of the students they serve in order to create a healthy learning atmosphere, he asserts that they must not be held hostage to political expediency. They must be sensitive to varied and deeply rooted community values, but they must also respond to the demands of the people who fund the school and whom the school serves.