The Congressional Hearing

Chancellor Block appeared yesterday before the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce's series of hearings on campus antisemitism. Below is a link to his opening statement.* Also at the hearing were the heads of Northwestern (Michael Schill) and Rutgers (Jonathan Holloway). 

Of the three, I would say Schill got the most attention and more of the critical questions. Example: It was noted that Schill was quick to fire a football coach when a fuss was made by alumni but that he emphasized continuing investigations and the need for due process when asked about consequences those involved in an encampment. He was mainly a target for having negotiated a deal with protesters to disband, seeming to promise to discuss some things that were contrary to NWU policy and possibly civil rights laws.

If you were looking for more insight into the questions raised on this blog about decisions that were made at UCLA, who made them, and why, you won't find out more from the hearing than you already know. There was no apology. The written statement, according to the LA Times, indicated that more preparedness would have helped. See:

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-05-23/ucla-gene-block-antisemitism-hearing-live-updates.

If there was blame, it was in effect shifted to UC President Drake's guidelines about not using police, although Drake was not named. But then, the other witnesses were unapologetic, too. 

Note to the Regents' committee searching for a replacement for retiring Chancellor Block: See if you can find someone who will admit to making mistakes without requiring a Congressional hearing. Everyone makes mistakes. But it would be nice to find someone who admits to them and will apologize when they occur. Maybe that quality doesn't generally exist in the world of college presidents, but there might be some exceptions.

Block said that there will be planning for orientation over the summer for incoming students that will emphasize campus rules regarding protests. Particular problems in the med school and a mandatory course are being investigated. He seemed aware of a social media video shown in the Committee of a Jewish student being blocked from a walkway but he had no information about who was involved in the blocking. Block said he called for police during the attack of the guys with bats but had no information about the prolonged delay concerning their arrival or why no arrests have been made.

There was also a question to Block about masks with a citation of a California statute that would seem to restrict mask wearing at demonstrations if some other offense is being committed.** Block mentioned COVID as an exception. But he also noted that COVID recommendations for masks were not in effect.

Block's opening oral statement is at the link below:

Or direct to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhGiU9FnXF8.

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*The full hearing is at https://www.youtube.com/live/4bu4eGIDNss. Back up at: https://ia601406.us.archive.org/35/items/a-laugh-a-tear-a-mitzvah/UCLA%20Northwestern%20Rutgers%20at%20House%20Education%20%26%20Workforce.mp4.

**[185.] Section One Hundred and Eighty-five. It shall be unlawful for any person to wear any mask, false whiskers, or any personal disguise (whether complete or partial) for the purpose of:

One—Evading or escaping discovery, recognition, or identification in the commission of any public offense.

Two—Concealment, flight, or escape, when charged with, arrested for, or convicted of, any public offense. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

Source: https://law.justia.com/codes/california/code-pen/part-1/title-7/chapter-8/section-185/.