A message from Dr. Scott regarding the ASA's boycott.
Dear Colleague:
As you have no doubt read, the American Studies Association, an academic membership听group consisting of institutions and individuals, has called for a boycott of Israeli academic听institutions as a form of support for Palestinian scholars. I do not support such a boycott听because, while individuals do and should have freedom of speech, organizations must ensure the听rights of the minority of members when they express speech. Also, to limit a boycott to Israeli听institutions ignores nations whose policies toward refugees and other captive populations are also听controversial.
Instead, academics and academic institutions should encourage the free interchange of听thought and opinion and, if necessary, organize fact-finding efforts as well as inventory and听publish violations of academic freedom and other restrictions and threats to institutions and听individuals.
Academic freedom is about the expression and debate of ideas, not the punishment of听those we think should defy their government鈥檚 policy.
Thank you.
Robert A. Scott, President
91国产
Garden City, NY 11530
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥� 516.237.8634
e 鈥� twilson@adelphi.edu