A few days ago I posted an article about a scheduled Webinar at UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara featuring Dr Barbara Dansby, a professor of African-American studies and gender studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. As advertised, I sent emails to both diversity officers at the respective institutions asking when they might sponsor conservative speakers. I also informed them that I would be happy to post their responses in the event they cared to dispute my belief that the universities do not sponsor conservative speakers.
Today, I have received replies from both diversity officers at these respective universities.
Here is my original email of January 6.
Dear Vice Chancellors Robnett and Haynes,
My name is Gary Fouse, and I am a former part-time teacher at UC Irvine Extension (1998-2016). I am writing to you regarding the January 13 Webinar featuring Dr Barbara Dansby, which is being sponsored by your offices.
Rather than go into details, I am linking what I have posted on my blog, Fousesquawk. I am not asking that the event be canceled since I do not believe in censoring the views of those I disagree with. What I am asking -challenging, in fact- is that you consider bringing in speakers with opposing points of view from those of Dr Dansby. If, in fact, you have in the past done so, please advise, and I will be happy to post your responses.
It is my opinion, based on experience and my own observations, that students in our universities are being exposed to a very one-sided view of issues affecting our country. While I have seen some conservative and/or pro-Israel speakers appear at UCI, they have invariably been invited by conservative student groups. On many occasions, they are disrupted.
Here is what I have already posted on my blog:
If you disagree with my characterization, I will be happy to post any responses you care to give.
Sincerely,
Gary Fouse
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Here is the response from Belinda Robnett of UC Santa Barbara:
Hi Gary,
Thank you for reaching out. I appreciate your concerns. The DEI Office strives to protect First Amendment rights, and we embrace a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our Office seeks to foster a climate of acceptance for all members of the campus community. Since I am new to UCSB, I do not yet have a history of programming. As an institution of higher learning, I anticipate that many different voices will be afforded the opportunity to express a variety of perspectives.
Best regards,
Belinda
THRIVING THROUGH REFORM, TOGETHER
Belinda Robnett
(She/Her/Hers)
Vice ChancellorDiversity, Equity and InclusionOffice: (805) 893-5114
Email: belindarobnett@ucsb.edu
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California 93106
The DEI Office wishes to acknowledge the traditional custodians of this place and all land upon which the University is located, and pay our respects to the Chumash Elders past, present and future for they hold the memories, the traditions, and the culture of this area.
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And the response from Douglas Haynes at UC Irvine:
Dear Mr. Fouse,
I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your email--dated Tuesday, January 6--regarding the Anti-Blackness: Difficult Dialogues series. This year long series features a variety of leading national scholars whose research expertise contributes to deepening our understanding about the national reckoning regarding anti-Black racism in the United States. The scheduled presentation by Professor Ransby entitled "A Crucible Moment for Race in America: The Crisis of Racial Capitalism and the Challenge of the Movement for Black Lives" is no different. As a public research university, we do not select scholars based on their political views.
If you are interested in learning more about UCI's Confronting Extremism program, please consult this link: https://inclusion.uci.edu/confronting-extremism/.
Douglas M Haynes
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
https://inclusion.uci.edu
Professor of History
https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=2755
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Fousesquawk comment: I plan to write more on this topic soon.
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