Ayers talk at UNL canceled

A speech that was to be part of a student research conference at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's College of Education and Human Science by William Ayers, a distinguished professor of curriculum and instruction at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has been canceled.

Ayers' activism in the 1960's and '70's recently has been in headlines during the presidential campaign.

"Ayers was selected for the lecture in February by a faculty committee because of his expertise in research related to small schools and urban education," said Marjorie Kostelnik, dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences.

The university's threat assessment group monitored e-mails and other information UNL received regarding Ayers' scheduled Nov. 15 visit, and identified safety concerns which resulted in the university canceling the event.