April 2010
March 15, 2010
Sent on behalf of Harriet Lewis, University Secretary & General Counsel
Dear Dr Seligman,
Thank you for
contacting me with your concerns.
York University is a
community that prides itself on free inquiry, open and civil discourse, and
respect for points of view that may differ from our own. We are also firmly
committed to the fair application of procedures for the booking of space that
allows different groups to express themselves, while ensuring appropriate
security procedures are in place.
The first week of
March has become a time where issues and events in the Middle East are discussed
and debated at university campuses around the country. Yet as you know, events
associated with Israeli Apartheid Week are not unique to the York University
campus and, indeed, take place on campuses across North America. That being
said, the IAW events that are took place on the York campus last week were
conducted in an orderly and civil manner; they were also located in venues that
ensured that students who did not wish to take part in the discussions were not
required to do so.
It is also the case
that a variety of events on the York campus were organized by pro-Israeli
student groups, including Christians United For Israel (CUFI), Hillel and
Hasbara. These events also took place in an orderly manner, without disruption,
and without any extra charges or costs associated with security.
You have made
particular mention of an event that was planned by CUFI and which ultimately did
not proceed. You may have seen the letter to the editor of the National Post
published in the March 2, 2010 edition from Vice President Academic and Provost
Patrick Monahan, which attempts to correct a number of inaccuracies in an
article published in the Post over the weekend. I might also add that the York
University policy of charging for additional costs associated with policing when
it is required for high profile events is one that is followed at many other
universities, including those in the Greater Toronto area. Moreover, it has been
applied here at York not just in relation to this particular event, but in
relation to events organized by other student groups from differing political
perspectives. In this case, the student group had initially agreed to fund the
security/policing cost of approximately $1200, but ultimately decided that they
did not wish to proceed and, instead, elected to hold events on campus.
The fact that this
particular event did not proceed in no way suggests that the campus is not open
to a variety of political perspectives on the Middle East. Indeed, as I have
noted above, a number of pro-Israeli events took place last week without the
necessity for special security (and thus no additional costs) and without
incident.
I regret very much
that inaccurate and misleading media accounts regarding an event that did not
take place has led a number of individuals to form a misleading impression of
York’s policies in relation to events on campus. I want to take this opportunity
to clarify York’s position when it comes to free speech and free inquiry:
The University’s
priority is that discourse on the Middle East and other contentious issues be
freely conducted without infringing on the rights of others and without
disrupting the academic functioning of the University.
It is the right of
any community member to express his or her view within the law and without fear
of intimidation or harassment. By the same token, members of the community must
respect the rights of others to express views that differ from their own.
Freedom of speech is for everyone, or it is for no one.
Political activism is
no excuse for racism, intimidation or hatred of any kind.
The University is
firmly committed to protecting the safety and security of all members of the
community in a fair, balanced and equal way. The University’s policies on the
use of space are well understood and accepted by all student groups on campus.
No group — regardless of belief or affiliation, enjoys special rights or
privileges.
Universities exist
for the free exchange of ideas, and sometimes this can feel uncomfortable. But
ideas can only flourish in an atmosphere free of intolerance, hatred and
harassment.
Thank you again for writing.
Sincerely,
Harriet Lewis
University Secretary & General Counsel
York University.
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