University of New Hampshire president: Language guide is offensive, not campus policy

CONCORD, N.H. – The president of the University of New Hampshire says he's troubled and offended by many parts of a "bias-free language guide" developed by students and staff, particularly a suggestion that using the word "American" is problematic because it fails to recognize South America.

The guide was developed two years ago. It attracted little attention until this week, when it was featured the conservative news site Campus Reform.

Asked about it on Wednesday, President Mark Huddleston said the guide is not university policy, and that the only UNH policy on speech is that it is free and unfettered.

Huddleston says he was especially troubled that the word "American" is deemed problematic. He says it's ironic that a well-meaning effort to be sensitive ended up being offensive to many people, including him.