The temptation from the administrative perspective is to try to stay in the background and hope that the problem will pass. Unfortunately, when it comes to the Middle East, even when problems pass, they are more like painful kidney stones than permanent fixes - and new ones appear. So while greater separation would be advisable in the longer term, in the interim UC and UCLA have a de facto involvement that at this late date can't be avoided. As a second best for now, therefore, UC officialdom might try and arrange a time-out on passing resolutions on world affairs. Such resolutions are not of day-to-day concern to most students, don't affect Regental investment policy, but do produce antipathy for the university at a time when public support is needed in the current conflict over tuition and budget proposals.
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*http://uclafacultyassociation.blogspot.com/2015/02/time-to-go-separate-ways.html [Links to various news sources through Feb. 18 are included in this reference.]
**http://dailybruin.com/2015/02/24/four-other-universities-report-offensive-posters-targeting-sjp/
***http://www.brandeiscenter.com/images/uploads/articleuploads/trinity-Anti-Semitism.pdf
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UPDATE: Chancellor Block emailed the statement below today. While it calls for mutual tolerance, it doesn't suggest a cooling-off period (time out) as suggested above.
To the Campus Community:
I
have been troubled by recent incidents of bias on campuses
across our nation. Sadly, UCLA is not immune to these
occurrences.
At a
recent Undergraduate Students Association Council meeting, a few
council members unfairly questioned the fitness of a USAC
Judicial Board applicant because of her Jewish identity. Another
upsetting incident occurred last weekend when inflammatory
posters on our campus implied that Students for Justice in
Palestine was a terrorist organization.
We
should all be glad that, ultimately, the judicial board
applicant was unanimously confirmed for her position and that
the posters were taken down by members of our community. We are
pleased that the students who initially objected to the Jewish
student’s appointment apologized, and we are reassured that the
UCLA Police Department is vigorously investigating the matter of
the posters.
Yet
we should also be concerned that these incidents took place at
all. No student should feel threatened that they would be unable
to participate in a university activity because of their
religion. And no student should be compared to a terrorist for
holding a political opinion. These disturbing episodes are very
different, but they both are rooted in stereotypes and
assumptions.
Political
debate can stir passionate disagreements. The views of others
may make us uncomfortable. That may be unavoidable. But to
assume that every member of a group can’t be impartial or is
motivated by hatred is intellectually and morally unacceptable.
When hurtful stereotypes — of any group — are wielded to
delegitimize others, we are all debased.
A
first-rate intellectual community must hold itself to higher
standards.
Even
in the heat of debate, we must cultivate the skill and
sensitivity to express opinions without belittling others or
losing sight of their humanity. Speech that stigmatizes or tries
to intimidate individuals or targeted groups — even if it is
constitutionally protected — does not promote the responsible
debate essential for a healthy democracy. It is insufficient to
reserve empathy only for those who look or act or think like we
do. We must do better than that.
As
Bruins, we need to be thinkers and leaders who can see one
another without prejudice and can engage one another in a manner
that goes beyond slogans and is above slurs.
While
any incident of bias against any member of our campus community
saddens us, and we understand that these incidents may occur
again, we will always take appropriate action if the UCLA
Principles of Community or any laws are violated. And we will do
everything we can to support a healthy environment for everyone
in our community. If you feel you have been subjected to an
incident of bias or hate, resources
are available.
UCLA
will not be defined by intolerance. We will strive to create a
community that will honor the dignity of all its members even if
we struggle with one another’s ideas. We will strive to create a
community in which all of us can fully take part in campus life
and express our views and identities, safe from intimidation,
threat or harm. Let us all work together to do the good work of
creating that community.
Sincerely,
Gene
D. Block
Chancellor
UPDATE: "...Conservative writer and activist David Horowitz admitted to orchestrating the (poster) incident." From http://dailybruin.com/2015/02/26/editorial-communities-unified-response-to-offensive-posters-a-welcome-surprise/
Chancellor
UPDATE: "...Conservative writer and activist David Horowitz admitted to orchestrating the (poster) incident." From http://dailybruin.com/2015/02/26/editorial-communities-unified-response-to-offensive-posters-a-welcome-surprise/
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