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OP-ED: Speech on campus must be handled with responsibility
by Albert Cahn
Forum | 9/5/06
Posted online at 1:47 AM EST on 9/5/06
In the aftermath of last semester's Palestinian Art controversy, it is essential that the students of this University have a serious discussion about freedom of speech on campus.
Unlike many who have commented on this matter-in which an exhibition of art by Palestinian children displayed in the Goldfarb Library was shut down by administrators-I do not think that the removal was motivated by a nefarious agenda, or done with malice. The individuals who chose to remove the works sincerely believed that retaining the exhibit would be far worse than removing it, and I know that they sincerely regret the hurt and fallout that ensued.
Rather than pointing fingers, we should take this opportunity to discuss how open we want speech and expression to be on this campus, and when, if ever, the administration should curb it. Hopefully, many of you will agree that those standards should be broader and better defined than those found within the University's code of Rights and Responsibilities.
Brandeis has no official "speech code," but there are several sections of Rights and Responsibilities pertaining to harassment that effectively constitute one. Regrettably, these portions have grown more voluminous and ill-defined in recent years, placing a greater potential limit on free speech and expression.
Section 7.4 of Rights and Responsibilities states, "It is regarded as harassment when conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's education or work performance by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment in which to work, study or live."
Such broad language means community members can bring forth claims of harassment simply because they are offended by what other people say, regardless of how foreseeable or rational the the offense is. It would seem that the dream-if not the goal-behind such a policy is to create a university where we live in perfect harmony and no one is offended… but that is not my dream.
Unlike many who have commented on this matter-in which an exhibition of art by Palestinian children displayed in the Goldfarb Library was shut down by administrators-I do not think that the removal was motivated by a nefarious agenda, or done with malice. The individuals who chose to remove the works sincerely believed that retaining the exhibit would be far worse than removing it, and I know that they sincerely regret the hurt and fallout that ensued.
Rather than pointing fingers, we should take this opportunity to discuss how open we want speech and expression to be on this campus, and when, if ever, the administration should curb it. Hopefully, many of you will agree that those standards should be broader and better defined than those found within the University's code of Rights and Responsibilities.
Brandeis has no official "speech code," but there are several sections of Rights and Responsibilities pertaining to harassment that effectively constitute one. Regrettably, these portions have grown more voluminous and ill-defined in recent years, placing a greater potential limit on free speech and expression.
Section 7.4 of Rights and Responsibilities states, "It is regarded as harassment when conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person's education or work performance by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment in which to work, study or live."
Such broad language means community members can bring forth claims of harassment simply because they are offended by what other people say, regardless of how foreseeable or rational the the offense is. It would seem that the dream-if not the goal-behind such a policy is to create a university where we live in perfect harmony and no one is offended… but that is not my dream.
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