BOSTON -- An honorary degree for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is stirring up controversy at Boston College.

NewsCenter 5's Jim Boyd reported that about 250 students, as well as some faculty members, held a rally Monday to speak out against the decision. About 150 faculty members signed a letter saying Rice does not deserve an honorary degree because the Bush Administration's policies contradict the school's Catholic, Jesuit and humanistic identity.

In addition to receiving an honorary degree, Rice has been selected as the college's commencement speaker.

"Disgraceful, abhorrent, unjust, deceitful to the public, immoral by any standards, including Christian ones, and criminal under U.S. and international law," student Aimee VanWagenen said of Rice's performance.

But school spokesman Jack Dunn said the invitation was not about Rice's politics.

"We are honoring her as an individual. There is so much about her life that is deserving of respect and admiration and we are not advocating for the war, we don't make a statement on behalf of candidates or policies, we are honoring her as an individual," Dunn said.

Not everyone on campus agree with the protests.

"It is only a few hundred students and there are 9,000 students that come to Boston College. The overwhelming majority of BC students are really in support of having the secretary of state here. They are very honored to have her," said student Brad Easterbrooks.

It is unclear if there will be any protests during commencement ceremonies on May 22.