BYU students and professors opposed to Vice President Dick Cheney's visit are getting more organized, hosting blogs and an online petition, and writing letters to the media and BYU officials.

Cheney is scheduled to speak at Brigham Young University's April commencement. According to BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invited him, in its roll as chairman and vice chairmen of the board of trustees of BYU.

While both BYU and church officials say that they have received relatively little in the way of public comment on Cheney's planned visit, protest organizers are actively gearing up. On the drawing boards are letter-writing efforts, pickets, boycotts and even organization of alternative commencement exercises.

A digital petition has been posted at http://cheneyspeech.blogspot.com/. Other students have created groups on the popular networking site Facebook.com. Students involved in those groups number in the hundreds.

Offline, students groups will be meeting this evening to discuss and debate the merits of their opposition and to organize themselves. The public is invited to the gathering at 8:30 p.m. at 126 N. 200 East in Provo.

Four BYU professors -- Kirk Dearden, Tim Heaton, Marie Cornwall and Ralph Brown -- released a letter Tuesday detailing their opposition to the vice president's visit.

"In our estimation, Vice President Cheney does not embody the ideals taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nor Brigham Young University. Inviting Cheney ... violates long-standing LDS Church and BYU policies regarding political neutrality and sanctions the actions of a prominent political figure who demonstrates questionable ethics," the letter states.

Rob Howell, an LDS church spokesman, said that BYU has frequently had political figures speak in the past. It has never in any way been an endorsement of the person or a platform.

Eric Bybee, one of the student organizers upset with Cheney's visit, said BYU has to walk a "fine line" between being an institution that provides secular education, while still being a part of the church's organization.

"We tend to treat secular decisions made by church authorities as if they were revelation," Bybee said, arguing that the church's doctrine encourages asking questions.

According to Bybee, the opposition to Cheney's visit is coming from several groups, both on and off campus and from all reaches of the political spectrum. With "25 to 36 percent approval ratings, there are many conservatives who don't approve of him."

Despite the protest, many in the area continue to strongly support the vice president, and welcome his visit without reservation.

Marian Monnahan, chairwoman of the Utah County Republican Party, does not see a problem with Cheney speaking at BYU. "I think it's wonderful," she said. "I don't know what the problem is. ... Republicans in this county are still with President Bush."

David Laffen, chairman of BYU's College Republicans, said that he was "excited about the vice president of the United States coming to BYU." Laffen explained that one of the main purposes of the College Republicans was "to get people involved without regard to ideology." Cheney's visit is good because it is sparking debate and dialogue, as well as encouraging people to become involved.

"Whether you agree or not, you should be excited," he said.

Vaughn Cook, chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party, said people need to honor the office of the vice president, despite ideology. "The man holds a significant position in the country, and that deserves respect."

Bybee said his motivation doesn't come from a desire to destroy or disrupt a commencement ceremony. He doesn't want to stop Cheney from coming or censure him, either. He just thinks Cheney shouldn't speak at the graduation ceremony.

Nathan Johnson can be reached at njohnson@heraldextra.com

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.