OPINION: University officials have previously claimed regional events affected key actions
Harvard University’s fresh “institutional neutrality” plan will likely fail, based on the university’s own history.
The university made the decision earlier this week to refrain from issuing “official statements about common issues that do not directly affect the school’s key function.”
The news came from the school’s Institutional Voice Working Group.
While it sounds great, my guess is the school will find national political activities have a relationship, yet if wobbly, to the school’s” key work”.
Dean Claudine Gay made a connection between the function of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the death of George Floyd in May 2020.
Commenting on the need to combat prejudice, Gay stated:
The job we do these to bridge the gap between lines of distinction and create a trust and respect-based community are a part of that change. Our efforts to find the causes of inequality and its harmful effects and provide our students with the knowledge and knowledge they need to improve the world are a part of that shift. Now is the time to move into our vision, with solve and a fresh sense of urgency.
” We do”, “our work”, “our students”, and “our mission”, are all phrases indicating Gay thought the killing of a black man by Minneapolis police had a direct connection to the” core function” of the arts and sciences faculty of a Massachusetts university.
On January 7, 2021, the day after the murder at the U. S. Capitol, Harvard President Lawrence Bacow found a way to add Harvard into a position 463 miles apart.
” As members of a school group dedicated to reality, learning, research, discussion, and support, we condemn ignorance and hatred, and remain in support of the rule of law and the position of knowledge”, Bacow wrote.
Harvard Medical School also has an administrative position on abortion, though it’s unclear why killing unborn pre-born children in the womb is a” key function” of the institution.
After the reverse of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, it stated,” At the Center for Primary Care, we believe in a woman’s right to choose what is best for their body.” We think that capital is a key component of our Center’s goal, which is to provide safe, accessible abortion services.
Further: UMich supports intellectual research while claiming to support “diversity of thought.”
Again,” the vision of our Center”, sounds like a word for” key work”.
There is another issue on the horizon – the college’s attempt to separate steps from statements.
According to working group member Noah Feldman, who reported for The Harvard Crimson, withdrawal is not a” speech in words,” keeping the door open for the school to divest from Israel.
However, people show their principles by acting. Attending a cathedral, voting for a prospect, or boycotting certain businesses are all ways to make claims and show values.
Following the example of volunteer leaders who support candidates in their “personal power,” one approach university leaders might circumvent the ban is.
Harvard’s fresh president could just say that he wants Trump to gain, supports pregnancy, or backs a climate change agreement, “in his private power”.
A media outlet could claim with accuracy that” Harvard’s president says he wants Trump to lose.” The message would be clear.
Institutional neutrality, when implemented, can be positive for a university. Higher education institutions should have goals and adhere to them.
But so far, Harvard has shown it believes commenting on a variety of political topics is a” core function” of its mission.
MORE: Despite board directive banning it, ASU still requests DEI commitment.
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