If President Bush accepts UA President Peter Likins' invitation to speak at this spring's commencement, then it should not overshadow the accomplishments of graduating students and evolve into a political event.

To have a sitting U.S. president speak at UA - let alone at a commencement ceremony - would be a very high honor and very beneficial event not only to the university, its students and faculty, but also to the state of Arizona.

A graduation should be a time to celebrate the culmination of college careers coming to an end, and the beginning of a new phase of life. Having President Bush here to help send students out into the world would be a great memory they could tell their grandchildren about; but it's something that shouldn't be marred by a few protesters inside the ceremony.

Despite negative feelings some students may have toward George W. Bush, he is still the president of the United States. The office of the presidency commands respect and should be treated with dignity, regardless of who happens to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

It is the constitutional right of U.S. citizens to voice their opinions, including the ability to protest. That is one of the greatest freedoms this country offers. Students and community members should be allowed to voice their opposition to the decisions made by their leaders. Just don't do it during the ceremony itself, ruining the day for other students.

There is a time and a place to protest against Bush; the commencement speech is not that time. Feel free to protest all you want outside the walls of McKale Center (or Arizona Stadium), but allow the graduating students the opportunity to enjoy the ceremony they deserve.

When Likins asked Bush to speak, he was probably thinking of what a great experience it would be for graduating seniors, and how great it will be for the university's reputation as an academic institution. And it would be nice to have Bush come to Tucson for something other than disasters, like last summer's forest fires. Not to mention, UA could use some ammunition for when Arizona State students remind us how great it will be when they host one of the presidential debates.

If Bush is the speaker come May, it will be one of the greatest moments in UA history. But the chances of this happening are slim at best. Rest assured though, we've got former UA basketball star Steve Kerr waiting in the wings. And that would be OK, too.

Opinions are determined by the Wildcat opinions board and written by one of its members. They are Shane Dale, Caitlin Hall, Saul Loeb, Jason Poreda, Justin St. Germain and Eliza Tebo.