The University responds correctly. I'm sure it was triggered by this, which President Zimmer does not mention, also correctly. Here is an excerpt from the President's response which should be copied and pasted into every President's response to tantrums from the right or baby left (i.e., the "hurt feelings" left):
[T]he University does not limit the comments of faculty members, mandate apologies, or impose other disciplinary consequences for such comments, unless there has been a violation of University policy or the law. Faculty are free to agree or disagree with any policy or approach of the University, its departments, schools or divisions without being subject to discipline, reprimand or other form of punishment.
That said, no individual member of the faculty speaks for the University as a whole on any subject, including on issues of diversity. In turn, the University will continue to defend vigorously any faculty member’s right to publish and discuss his or her ideas.
There's still more work to do at the University of Chicago, as I'll blog about soon, but I am pleased the President lived up to my expectations in this case.
(Thanks to Jerry Coyne for the pointer.)
Recent Comments