A (New) Letter From the UC San Diego Chancellor

As my readers know, I have repeatedly checked the UC San Diego website for an updated "Letter from the Chancellor" to get her personal statement on the David Horowitz incident when a member of the Muslim Student Association endorsed a statement from the leader of Hizbollah that "all Jews should gather in Israel so that we wouldn't have to hunt them down world-wide". Unfortunately, every time I checked, it was the same old statement dated May 3, 2010. Well, yesterday, since we are beginning a new quarter, I checked again and Voila! A new statement from the chancellor-on video no less.

Here it is:

http://www-chancellor.ucsd.edu/index.html


Below is a letter Chancellor Foxe wrote in response to the Compton Cookout in February 2010.



UCSD
CAMPUS NOTICE
University of California, San Diego



OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR

OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR - STUDENT AFFAIRS

February 16, 2010

ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UCSD ALL STUDENTS AT UCSD

SUBJECT: Condemnation of Off-Campus Party and Affirmation of Principles of Community

We were distressed to learn that over the weekend an offensively themed student party, mocking the commemoration of Black History Month, took place off campus. We strongly condemn this event and the blatant disregard of our campus values. Although the party was not a UC San Diego student-organization sponsored event, participants did include UC San Diego students and that causes us great concern.

As stated in our Principles of Community, http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/policies/POC/principles-of-community.html, we reject acts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and political beliefs, and, we will confront and appropriately respond to such acts. We reaffirm our Principles of Community http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/policies/POC/principles-of-community.html and encourage the campus to join us in our affirmation.

In addition, we invite students, staff and faculty to participate in a teach-in from noon to 2 p.m. on February 24 in the Price Center East Ballroom to explore how such incidents continue to occur today and to discuss the importance of mutual respect and civility on our campus.

Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor

Penny Rue
Vice Chancellor - Student Affairs
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Chancellor Fox addresses students in the wake of the Compton Cookout and the library noose incident.

"Not in our community!"

Here is my point: The entire UCSD campus and community was turned upside down after the above incidents were reported that impacted black students. Though the incidents are still somewhat shrouded in mystery, the campus rightfully sprang to the defense of its black students to support them and let them know they were welcome on campus though they represent a tiny minority at UCSD. Numerous student clubs and numerous faculty departments wrote letters in response to the incidents.

Yet, when one UCSD student expresses support for a genocidal statement against Jews emanating out of the Middle East, what reaction do we get from UCSD? A lame statement from a university spokesperson (Judy Piercey) and ho hum.


"Last week at UC San Diego, a series of lectures, displays and classroom debates touched passionate, heartfelt beliefs for many in the campus and surrounding community. Pro-Israeli and Pro-Palestinian supporters visited UC San Diego at the invitation of our students and faculty. Speakers addressed the politically charged issues that are shaping world news and international policy.

As stated in our UC San Diego Principles of Community, http://www.ucsd.edu/explore/about/principles.html, we reject acts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, and political beliefs, and, we will confront and appropriately respond to such acts.


We firmly believe that one student’s opinion is not representative of the opinions of the majority of our student body, our collective faculty or the campus administration. We are gratified that the student involved in the edited exchange with speaker David Horowitz that was widely circulated on the Internet has issued a clarification and apology for her comments. Her statement:

“Let me be clear that I condemn genocide, racism, terrorism, and violence in any form, and firmly believe that such things run counter to my faith as a Muslim. I also condemn Mr. Horowitz’s exploitation of my well-intentioned question, and his exploitation of this situation as a whole. I did not hear Mr. Horowitz’s question, specifically his references to genocide. Had I understood the nature of the question, I would never have responded the way that I did by providing an answer that misrepresented my beliefs. I would like to apologize for the remarks I inadvertently made at the forum. It was never my intent to offend anyone.”

Discourse and debate are the essence of a vital academic institution like UC San Diego. The very foundations of every great university are set upon the rock-solid principles of freedom of thought and freedom of speech. Nevertheless, the University has an obligation to speak out in favor of civil discourse. We urge everyone in our community, regardless of their political points of view, to join us in upholding the Principles of Community."

Here's another statement by a "university spokesperson" that has been quoted.

“At UCSD we strongly condemn any suggestion that violence, especially genocidal violence, is a legitimate political tool. We firmly believe that this one student's opinion is not representative of the opinions of the majority of our student body.”


If there is any other statement out there that I have missed, I invite the readers or UCSD to let me know. If there isn't, then I think the reaction of UCSD- the administration, faculty and students- to the Horowitz incident is pathetic. Meanwhile, however, I won't be checking the UCSD web site looking for the chancellor's letter any longer. It's a waste of time.