By permission of Allen Isaacman, University of Minnesota. Issacman had been invited to speak on October 30, as part of the 2014-15 CAS / MillerComm annual series (see the previous post for David Blacker's cancelation of another event in the series). Our respect and our thanks go to Professor Isaacman for his principled stand here.
----
Dear Professor Pitard,
I was honored to have been invited by the Center for Advanced Study to present a CAS/MillerComm lecture this fall. I was, however, deeply troubled by the decision not to reappoint James Kilgore this Spring. The University of Illinois' recent decision to disregard its prior commitment to appoint Professor Salaita, confirms my fear of the administration's blatant disregard for academic freedom.
Silencing faculty or punishing them for their political, moral or ethical views is indefensible. Unless and until the administration of University of Illinois rescinds this decision, I will not participate in the CAS/MillerComm lecture series and I join with my distinguished colleague Professor Robin Kelly in refusing to set foot on your campus.
I do hope that the University administration will reverse its decision before it does irreparable harm to your great institution. I also hope that we will meet face-to-face in the near future.
Sincerely,
Allen Isaacman
Regents Professor of History, University of Minnesota
Extraordinary Professor, University of Western Cape
Comments