With Super Tuesday behind us, America may soon have a better idea of which men (and perhaps woman) upon whom the political spotlight will shine brightest.

And for one night of this political showdown that runs through November, the students of Washington University in St. Louis could have been sitting front row and center. But to avoid showing a political bias, the school's administration turned down the opportunity to host a speech given by Sen. Barack Obama.

With a national mood of political correctness at an all-time high, a university's status as non-profit can be jeopardized if it appears to favor one presidential candidate or his or her party over another. But this bias can be avoided by simply making it known that any candidate or political figure is welcomed by the administration.

Penn State has shown no problem hosting political figures from both sides.

In 2004, filmmaker and left-wing radical Michael Moore spoke at the Bryce Jordan Center, just weeks before the most recent presidential election. After a large outcry by university conservatives, conservative radio host Mike Gallagher spoke on the same night, using the opportunity to premiere his film, "Fahrenhype 9/11." That night of radical overload is a perfect example of non-partisan hosting.

The American Council on Education says that as long as a college or university would give any candidate the equal opportunity to speak, it may welcome whomever it chooses.

Despite the protests that crowded the sidewalks of both the Moore and Gallagher events in 2004, staying informed has to extend past partisanship and matters of opinion. The good and well-informed decisions college students are so frequently reminded to make should extend past a speech and into November's ballot box.

When else could a student ID get you two tickets to see the potential leader of the free world? We need to take advantage of any opportunity we are afforded, and to see other universities throw them away is upsetting.

Honestly, Penn State even extended its hand to Democratic doubtful Mike Gravel, although his speech was replaced by one from his wife.

A speech on a college campus would differ greatly from a stump speech. The candidate wouldn't be trying to gain the votes of delegates and labor unions, he or she would be trying to win over America's youth voters who are proving to be among the most highly coveted demographics.

Listening to a speech tailor-made for your school and your generation from a presidential candidate would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the sake of education, not indoctrination.