Essay Critical of Vassar Never Took Stand Against Free Expression

To the Editor:

In response to Lawrence Biemiller’s recent news roundup mentioning the Academic Engagement Network (“The Week: What You Need to Know About the Past 7 Days,” The Chronicle, February 28), I write to say that Mark Yudof and I share The Chronicle’s concern for freedom of expression on American campuses. That is one of the strong planks in our organization’s agenda.

At no time in our recent Wall Street Journal essay on doings at Vassar did we stand against free expression. Instead we countered speech with critical speech. No one has a free pass to give voice to hate or outrage without expecting others to exercise their free-speech rights in return. The claim we sought to shut down speech will not stand scrutiny. We called on president Hill and faculty to speak out, not close down or prohibit speech.

The additional claim cited in Biemiller’s piece that we cried wolf about anti-Semitism will also not stand. After numerous events, Vassar hosted a faculty member from another university who updated the medieval blood libel for the 21st century, retailing claims about Israelis harvesting Palestinian organs and deliberately scheming to maim and stunt. What such claims were is pretty clear. People concerned about higher education should neither be quiet or unconcerned in response to such claims.

Kenneth Waltzer
Executive Director

Academic Engagement Network