UVA Spurns Obama Speaking Request

The University of Virginia said on Friday that it had declined President Barack Obama’s request to speak on campus next week.

The university, based in Charlottesville, said the Obama campaign sought an outdoor venue for an appearance on Wednesday, local NBC affiliate WVIR-TV reports. University officials cited several reasons for declining the request, including that the president’s appearance would have caused more than 186 class cancellations.

UVA would have had to pay all security costs for the event, WVIR reports. In addition, university policy, as well as UVA’s federal and state tax-exempt status, would have required the university to offer the same opportunity to any other presidential candidate.

The Albemarle County Democratic Party blocked off 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on its website calendar for the Obama visit, WVIR reports. Virginia is a key battleground state this presidential election year.