A message from the prez
Re: Tarnished brass (Feb. 5)
I write in response to your story regarding the resignation of Provost Shirley Neuman.
You state that her departure “will have a potentially devastating effect on U of T’s future” because the academic process being led by her was, in your words, “far from complete.”
I believe that it is important that you and your readers understand that the academic plan has not been the work of one person. Rather, it is the result of extensive discussions and includes the contributions of many individuals, students, staff, and faculty, from across the University. It has, for example, received detailed input from the entire leadership at U of T, including myself as president.
“Stepping Up” represents our shared vision for the future of U of T and we intend to move the plan forward with enthusiasm. I will be presenting the plan for approval to the Governing Council as scheduled on Wednesday, February 11, 2004.
Our academic divisions are continuing to develop their divisional plans and to submit them for review to the Provost’s office as planned. As we move forward, we recognize that during this next phase we will undoubtedly discover ways in which the plan can be optimized. In this regard, we will welcome student input continuously during the implementation process.
Robert J. Birgeneau
President, U of T
Middle East misapprehension
Re: Muslim, Jewish students bridge gaps (Jan. 29)
I was at the conference and was very happy and moved by the things that went on there, and I believe that Nuzhat Khurshid’s article covered the day well.
I do have a problem, though. I am the “Daniel” who is quoted in the article. I was quoted as saying: “I had a ridiculous amount of people come up to me and say that the sign [that I was carrying (Zionist for Peace and Justice)] was an oxymoron, because all Zionists are racist.”
I realize that Nuzhat was trying to describe some of the hardships that, those of us involved in this issue, go through. My problem is that I was cut short in the article.
If I had been properly quoted, readers would’ve gotten the message that after some discussion those uninformed people realized how wrong they were. They realized that Zionism is not racism. It is a belief that means many things to many people. It seemed in the article that I was carrying the placard and people saw it and commented that Zionism is racism, and that was the end. This was wrong.
The fact that I was not properly quoted leads me to believe that the Varsity did not get the message that I was trying to convey-that education can happen and in this case it did happen, for the better.
Daniel Roth
Hutton report a whitewash
Re: Will the White House step up (Feb. 5)
It’s rather disconcerting to see The Varsity suck up the Hutton report’s blatantly one-sided view (read whitewash) of the reality surrounding the death of David Kelly.
Yes, Gilligan made some mistakes in reporting. However, the overall article was correct, its message was correct, and the information Gilligan received was correct. As for the resignations of the BBC officials, they did so partly in protest (as their following statements have made clear).
The British government played an active and intentional role in “outing” Dr. Kelly and then utterly discrediting him. Many of these meetings were chaired by Blair himself.
Lord Hutton was instrumental in the pseudo-inquiry clearing the British army of all charges when it fired upon unarmed, peaceful Irish demonstrators and killed 14 in 1972. There is no doubt in my mind that he was appointed for the singular purpose of clearing the British government’s role in this affair.
The Varsity should look into matters more closely rather than issuing editorials that parrot the bamboozling authorities.
Noaman Ali
Sexism no joke
Re: SAC sexism & Feb. 2 responses
I was very disappointed to read both the editorial and letters responding to Artful-Dodger’s acknowledgment of themes of male violence at SAC as “over-reacting.” Why should women be expected to continually brush off sexist realities? Why should we be constantly expected to just “take a joke” when such jokes and comments are not only offensive, but reveal underlying sentiments that shape all aspects of our society-be it the classroom, the office, the home, or even the playground.
I would also like to add that jokes about rape and demeaning sex are never just jokes, just as they are never just about sex-they are about violence! Finally, the fact that this political organization may be small and perhaps ignored by a majority of students makes the presence of sexism no less relevant. Rather, it points to a fundamental belief that, in the end, women should accept being treated as second-class citizens. It’s time to demand something more.
Camille DePutter
Editor’s note: the Feb. 2nd editorial was intended to comment only on the infighting over proposed changes to the SAC mandate, and not on the question of sexism in SAC or the events mentioned in Alexandra Artful-Dodger’s Jan. 29th opinion piece. The Varsity regrets any miscommunication.
Wake up women!
Re: Student union or sexist playground (Jan. 29)
Thank you, Alexandra Artful-Dodger!
I was completely appalled but appreciative of Ms. Alexandra Artful-Dodger’s very informative and well-written opinion article. Ms. Artful-Dodger is right. What is wrong when students elect such irresponsible people to SAC?
Maybe if more women were encouraged to run for the council, there would be more of a chance that this would not happen. I cannot believe what is going on at the University of Toronto. Students should be more concerned about where their money and time are going, as well as who is representing them.
I had no idea that this sort of behaviour was taking place in SAC, and possibly other clubs at the university. Ms. Alexandra Artful-Dodger sure has guts, to be able to address this problem publicly, and risk her image.
I’m sure that she had much better things to be doing, but her article was very relevant and necessary. Don’t let people kick you down for this, Alexandra. You have earned my respect.
Wake up, women of U of T!
Marjorie Shantly
