By Eric Levenson | CNN
A group of University of California professors signed a public letter pushing back on the UC president’s efforts to develop what he described earlier this month as a “viewpoint-neutral history of the Middle East,” saying it violates their academic freedom.
“We find your use of the term ‘viewpoint-neutral history’ to be wrong in this context and call upon you to rescind it,” the letter, signed by about 150 UC professors, states.
The letter stems from remarks by University of California President Michael V. Drake to the UC Board of Regents two weeks ago about Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7 and Israel’s ensuing military campaign in Gaza. Drake announced several initiatives to address the community’s concerns, including $7 million of added funding.
According to his remarks, $2 million will be used to “develop educational programs at each UC campus … focused on better understanding anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, how to recognize and combat extremism, and a viewpoint-neutral history of the Middle East.”
Another $2 million will be devoted to training leadership, staff and faculty, Drake said. “The goal is to ensure that UC leaders and educators are equipped with the knowledge they need to respond when issues arise and that our university policies are supportive, preventative, and viewpoint-neutral,” he said.
The academic debate comes amid the heightened tensions on college campuses related to heated protests about the Israel-Hamas war. The University of California system is just one of the many higher-education institutions that have struggled in recent weeks to balance students’ free speech rights while maintaining a healthy atmosphere for Muslim, Arab and Jewish students and appeasing opinionated donors.
Drake’s remarks to the UC board focused on the local impacts of the war.
“Still, many of our students, faculty, and staff are suffering right here at home. Some feel unsafe leaving their dorm…
Read the full article here