Comments on: Danger Will Robinson! Academic Freedom or Anti-Semitisim At UCSB?

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:20:11 +0000

University professors and teachers in general have an obligation to present information that stimulates thought and discussion. But it is a slippery slope because it is not a level playing field. Students may feel that they cannot disagree with the position of the professor/teacher and a chilling effect occurs.

Professors/teachers are not granted a bully pulpit to use to promote their own ideology unless it is part of the course.

I worry about undue and unfair influence being exerted here.

By: bcuban

bcuban — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:23:40 +0000

I look at it more from a procedural standpoint taking the emotion out of it. I think that if he had found a way to integrate it into a class discussion he may have 1st amendment protection, the sending of the email however in my opinion violated the Faculty Code of conduct and he should have been punished, NOT for the content of the email but for breaking University rules.

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:16:20 +0000

I am both an Israeli and US citizen. I have served in the IDF and have a 97 year old grandmother that is a Aushwitz survivor. In addition, I have lived half of my life in the US and have a college education from a US college.
In other words, I am both here and there.
It is my belief that the power and beauty of the US college/university system is in the synergy of opinions and stimulating enviorment that provokes the young generation to explore and ask questions.

Is the email in bad taste? Yes
Is the issue the proffessor is trying to discuss taboo or hate provoking? No

By contrast, FB defending hate groups is in bad taste and these groups other than spreading hatred and lies have no issues worth discussing.

By: bcuban

bcuban — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:31:07 +0000

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