ASUW debates academic freedom
March 30, 2005
ASUW's student senators postponed voting on a motion in defense of academic freedom at the student senate meeting last night. A motion to restrict public announcements in classes was defeated and a motion against anti-Semitism was passed.
In response to public furor over the writings of University of Colorado professor Ward Churchill, Alex Kim drafted resolution R-11-27, "Reaffirming Academic Freedom," which contains a resolution that "the ASUW reaffirms the necessity of academic freedom and unrestricted dialogue." After debating the legislation for the latter half of their meeting, the senators elected to postpone voting on the resolution until next week's session.
Speakers in favor of the resolution included assistant professor David Silver of the communication department.
"Freedom is an American value," said Silver, "and it makes me nervous to think that we might be cutting down our academic freedom at home while we promote democracy internationally."
Resolution R-11-20, which aimed to tighten restrictions on public announcements in classes, was voted down. Written by Jonathan Lee, the resolution would have required representatives of groups like WashPIRG and College Pro Painters, who routinely make public announcements to classes, to fill out application forms for the privilege of addressing students. Lee's intention was to prevent such groups from making announcements unrelated to class topics.
"Presentations will still be allowed, but they'll have to explain why they're coming in," said Lee.
A resolution condemning anti-Semitism, R-11-22 introduced by Nick Dayton, was passed after a short debate. A few senators wished for the bill to oppose all hate crimes rather than specifying anti-Semitism, but the bill was ultimately voted up with no changes.
Jeremy Sandler, rush chair of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi, said in support of the bill that "I was personally the target of anti-Semitic attacks last quarter and I don't want to see it happen again."
Sandler cited instances where the Alpha Epsilon Pi house's Hannukkah display was vandalized.
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