|
|
October 11, 2002/Cheshvan 5 5763, Vol. 55, No. 7
Crow faces petition fallout
BARRY COHEN
Editor
Local Jewish leaders are disappointed that Arizona State University President Michael Crow has not signed a petition calling for an "intimidation free campus" - a statement already signed by more than 300 university and college presidents.
"We need a climate on campus where it is clear that intimidation will not be tolerated," said Rabbi Barton Lee, executive director of the Hillel Jewish Student Center at Arizona State University.
The petition, circulated since August to more than 1,900 campuses nationwide, states in part: "In the past few months, students who are Jewish or supporters of Israel's right to exist - Zionists - have received death threats and threats of violence. ... Posters and Web sites displaying libelous information or images have been widely circulated, creating an atmosphere of intimidation."
The petition, published as an ad by the American Jewish Committee in the Oct. 7 New York Times, continues: "These practices and others, directed against any person, group or cause, will not be tolerated on campuses."
The petition was originated by James Freedman, former Dartmouth College president, and six others, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.
When Crow chose not to sign the petition, he should have released a statement explaining his decision, said Lee.
Lee wrote him a letter Oct. 7, asking him "to clarify your commitment that ASU will be an 'intimidation-free campus' and your assurance that anti-Semitism and other forms of racist speech will not be allowed to prevent speakers from delivering their remarks on our campus."
Crow released a statement Oct. 8, explaining his commitment to ensure that university officials will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.
"I want to make clear that my decision not to sign the statement calling for 'intimidation-free' campuses nationwide was a reflection of the narrow focus of the statement itself, not a reflection of my or the university's position on the issue," said Crow in the statement.
He also stressed that ASU has a "strong anti-harassment policy in place, making it unnecessary and unwise, in my opinion, to sign a statement that is so clearly non-inclusive."
ASU's anti-harassment policy can be found at the Campus Environment Team Web site, www.asu.edu/president/cet.
The intimidation-free petition is not non-inclusive, countered Cathy Wolf, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. While it identifies Jewish students, it does not overlook other groups, she explained.
Concerning the anti-harassment policy ASU has in place, she said, "that does not negate him from making another statement against intimidation on campus."
During the past couple of years, there have only been isolated incidents of intimidation or harassment of Jewish students, said Lee.
He said he is attempting to organize a meeting between Crow and leaders of the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee, the JCRC and community rabbis, to learn more about Crow's decision not to sign the petition and about his commitment to maintain a harassment-free campus.
"I owe (Crow) the benefit of the doubt of sitting down face to face with him ... to find out why he won't sign (the petition)," said Bill Straus, ADL regional director.
Both Wolf and Rabbi Robert Kravitz, executive director of the AJC area office, said they also welcome the opportunity to meet with Crow.
|
