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April 14, 2005
Academic Integrity and the Middle East: Jewish campus disagreements
Previous entries on this topic here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and description of the conference and speakers here.Predictably, the activism of the Columbia students who made the movie and raised the issues has put them at odds with the Jewish establishment on campus, which got nervous when the boat was rocked so hard. Predictably, the students of Columbians for Academic Freedom counter that they tried to "work within the system" and didn't get anywhere.
A changing of the guard at Hillel played a role in the tension as well. In September, just a month before "Columbia Unbecoming" was revealed to the public, the Hillel board brought in Simon Klarfeld to succeed Rabbi Charles Sheer, the longtime leader of Columbia�s Jewish community. Some activist students felt Klarfeld was more interested in �a seat at the table� with the administration than serving their interests.Both groups now say they are reaching out to each other."We've met with Simon Klarfeld twice this entire time," Beery said, "and it's not for lack of trying. The fact is that you have the most central issue within the community being debated day in and day out, and the organized Jewish community on campus doesn't reach out to you." This, Beery said, was a radical departure from Rabbi Sheer�s open-door policy and direct involvement on behalf of students. Columbia�s ad hoc committee indirectly chastised Rabbi Sheer for his intervention in academic matters.
Ariel has some comments on the new grievance procedures.
UPDATE: Paul Mirengoff points out another example of Columbia University avoiding openness on a contentious issue.
A group called the Columbia Law School Center for the Study of Law and Culture is leading the opposition to reinstating ROTC. . . . Columbia professor Michael Adler, who supports bringing back ROTC but is willing to make common cause with opponents on aspects of "don't ask, don't tell," offered to debate the issue in conjunction with the Center. However, the Center's co-director Kendall Thomas responded that "a teach-in is being planned, which I believe will be a more productive use of the law school's resources, and its members' time." Thus, no debate took place.
Judith | 04/14/05 at 09:35 AM | Categories: - Israel vs. the world
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