Right to cancel conference
Re: Palestinian conference killed by Student Affairs at last minute (Nov. 24)
On behalf of Hillel, I applaud the decision of Student Affairs to cancel the scheduled Al-Awda conference.
As evidenced by its diverse and open programming, Hillel has consistently supported freedom of expression, a freedom that according to the university’s Statement of Freedom of Speech includes “the right to examine, question, investigate, speculate, and comment on any issue without reference to prescribed doctrine.” By denying entrance to those with opposing viewpoints, the conference organisers were denying dissenters their freedom of expression. This is particularly ironic as one of the conference sessions was dedicated to “fighting the criminalization of dissent.”
I also applaud Student Affairs because Al-Awda, by restricting entrance based on personal beliefs, has broken the university’s Policy of Recognition of Student Groups. This is a policy that all student groups including Hillel have signed. By restricting entrance to its conference, Al-Awda has broken a contract with the university. The university is therefore obliged to take action.
For both moral and legalist reasons I support Student Affairs.
Adam Cutler
Student Coordinating Committee Immediate Past-Chair, Hillel at the Wolfond Centre, University of Toronto
Does B’nai Brith run U of T?
Re: Palestinian conference killed by Student Affairs at last minute (Nov. 24)
The cancellation of the al-Awda conference last weekend was utterly reprehensible. And Mr. Birgeneau’s explanation was downright insulting. Where was Mr. Birgeneau and his “free speech” when Hillel invited Natan Sharansky to a limited event which most students, me included, didn’t even know about until after it took place? Also note that al-Awda has organized several events in the past that were open to everyone, and where there were debates on all issues relating to the Middle East conflict. I know because I have personally attended them.
The most dangerous issue at hand here is that no students on campus formally protested the conference. As it turns out, Student Affairs’ concern for “free speech” was as a result of pressure from an outside group called B’nai Brith. That raises a very important question. Is the job of Student Affairs and Mr. Birgeneau to protect our university and our small community as a place for students to interact peacefully away from any outside pressure and political lobby groups? Or is their job to be (pardon the term) “puppets” of B’nai Brith?
Once we allow outside groups like B’nai Brith to dictate to U of T how it should run its affairs, then we have lost U of T as an oasis of peace and neutrality where we can all interact and exchange our diverse opinions and beliefs.
Peter Riad
Patience by the boatload
Re: Our Mistake (Nov. 24)
Carsey Yee is either overly sensitive or needs a lesson in colloquialisms. We all know that immigrants tend to come by air these days. The term “boatloads” just means “many people coming at one time.” One could just as easily have said “boatloads of McMaster students arrived at U of T for the big game” even though Hamilton is less than an hour away by car.
Cynthia Cheng
