Here is the latest exchange between the AMCHA Initiative and Cal State University Northridge in the controversy over math professor David Klein's use of a CSUN web server to put out his anti-Israel propaganda.
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On Oct 4, 2013, at 10:40 AM, Harrison, Dianne F wrote:
Ms. Benjamin:This matter has been reviewed by the university in consultation with General Counsel, as well as by the State Attorney General’s Office. The university’s position and findings in this matter have been expressed in prior statements; however, to respond directly to your latest question, we do not consider Education Code 89005.5 or any part thereof to have been violated in any way.As I have said in a past public statement on this issue, I do not agree with Dr. Klein’s positions and, particularly, the manner in which he has chosen to present them. However, I support the rights that have been afforded him to do so. Support for the university’s position can be found in the American Jewish Committee’s policy statement on anti-Semitic and anti-Israel Incidents on U.S. College and University Campuses, approved by the AJC’s Board of Governors on June 25, 2012 and posted at http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=7oJILSPwFfJSG&b=8510915&ct=12943089, which noted that while remedies exist for combating harassing anti-Semitic behavior or intimidation, care must be taken not to suppress protected speech.We respect your views on this matter but have explained the university’s position. As any further engagement on this matter would not be productive or result in a change in the university’s position, the university considers this matter closed and will not engage in further communications on this issue until and unless there is new evidence of alleged wrong doing.Dianne F. Harrison, Ph.D.PresidentCalifornia State University, Northridge
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From: Tammi Benjamin <tammi@amchainitiative.org>Subject: Fwd: Prof. Klein's unlawful webpageDate: October 4, 2013 3:19:06 PM PDTTo: Tammi Benjamin <tammi@amchainitiative.org>Dear President Harrison,You state unequivocally that “we do not consider Education Code 89005.5 or any part thereof to have been violated in any way” by Professor Klein’s CSUN-hosted "Boycott Israel Resource Page". You make that statement, despite the new evidence of September 25 that the Trustees did not give permission to Prof. Klein for the name of the University to be displayed in connection with "the support, endorsement, advancement..of..boycott.”According to the law, without permission from the Trustees, a CSUN website advocating boycott is a potential misdemeanor. As such, it is not protected speech.Yet, you dismiss this issue without explanation.We call on you to explain to us, as well as to Jewish community members and California taxpayers, why you contend that California Education Code 89005.5 has not been violated.We believe that you, as President of a California State University campus and a public servant of the State of California, owe us an explanation.Sincerely,Tammi Rossman-BenjaminCo-founder, AMCHA InitiativeLeila BeckwithCo-founder, AMCHA Initiative---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Comment: Of course, Harrison doesn't want to engage in further discussion. It has already been established that Klein was using a CSUN web server to post his political views without university permission. The case has been made.
Reminds me of the UCI investigation into Galloway's fundraising for HAMAS on campus. They were simply unable to find anyone who did anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteAcademia is not only becoming superfluous but increasingly plainly dishonest.
320 inelfaThe fact that a display of words is "a potential misdemeanor" does not mean that the words "as such" are "not protected speech." If there is a crime committed, prosecute, but don't call for prior restraint
ReplyDelete(\I'm not sure whether I consider a professor expressing personal opinions on their personal page to be use of a "public forum" or a "private forum. "With so much of life on-line, one could argue that you can no more limit freedom of speech on line than on a public sidewalk.
On the other hand, it takes money to run those, so I lean toward, get it off the U's blog, and put it on your own. But it is still protected speech, just subject to time place and manner regulation.
As a CSUN alumnus from the Jurassic period, I regularly get solicitation and calls for donations to the University. At that point, I mention Dianne F. Harrison's name and that she could not reply to my letters regarding David Klein's illegal use of the CSUN website for his BDF activities. In additions, I state that Klein must cease and desist with his illegal use of the website and that I need a letter from Harrison, before I make a donation. In the end, most of the callers, who I suspect are students, have no clue who Harrison or Klein are in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteIn the end, no donation to CSUN
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