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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US UNIVERSITIES - ANTISEMITISM ISLAMOPHOBIA - Guess
HEADLINE: Israel/Hamas War Brings Controversy to US Campuses
TEASER: Some of America’s Most Prestigious Universities Accused Of Allowing Antisemitism and Islamophobia
PUBLISHED AT: 12/14/2023 at 2:15pm
BYLINE: Robin Guess
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE:
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SCRIPT EDITORS: newhouse, Young
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Reuters, AP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 3:30
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Three top U.S. universities and their presidents have drawn broad criticism after accusations that they failed to stop antisemitism and Islamophobia on their campuses. University leaders testified on Capitol Hill last week, but that did little to end the controversy over their mission and the safety of students. Robin Guess reports.]]
(Elise Stefanik, Republican (English))
“At Penn does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Penn’s rules or code of conduct? Yes, or no?”
((NARRATOR))
A contentious congressional hearing about reports of antisemitism at Harvard University, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania ended with Republican Congresswoman from New York, Elise Stefanik, calling for resignations of the schools’ presidents, accusing them of not protecting students.
(For Radio: Here is Harvard President, Claudine Gay)
(Claudine Gay, Harvard University President (Female, English)
“In response, I have sought to confront hate, while preserving free expression. This is difficult work and I know I have not always gotten it right.”
((Elise Stefanik, Republican (Female, English))
“And this is why you should resign - unacceptable answers across the board”
(NARRATOR)
Penn’s, Liz Magill, Harvard’s, Claudine Gay and MIT’s, Sally Kornbluth all defended decisions that allowed protests on campus, but critics said they equivocated over whether protests calling for the genocide of Jews would violate school policies. Magill resigned December 9 amid the firestorm.
(For Radio: Here’s Harley Lippman of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee)
((Harley Lippman, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Male, English))
(Mandatory Credit: ZOOM)
“They are incredible qualified in the academic world; they are not qualified to lead universities. There is an absence of good leadership // and she’s absolutely spot on one down two to go.”
((NARRATOR))
But others defended their leadership, and said congress is not the place for picking university leaders.
(For Radio: Here is Irene Mulvey, President of the American Association of University Professors))
(Irene Mulvey, American Association of University Professors President (Female, English)
(Mandatory Credit Zoom)
“That is completely outrageous the idea that a sitting congresswoman feels it is her responsibility or that she’s entitled to determine who runs a university is outrageous. // This is completely counterproductive. American higher education is the envy of the world, it’s globally preeminent because of our robust protection of academic freedom.”
((NARRATOR))
Days after the hearing, Harvard’s and MIT’s governing boards backed their leaders, although some donors to the schools continue to criticize their decision.
On college campuses, many professors consider the protests teachable moments.
(For Radio: This is Ingrid Anderson, Boston University’s Associate Director of Jewish Studies)
(Ingrid Anderson, Boston University Assoc. Director for Jewish Studies (Female, English) (Mandatory Credit: ZOOM)
I think one of the things that we are really missing out on here is how to teach students civil discourse. How do we sit down and talk to each other when we don’t agree with each other when we might not even like each other.”
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. Department of Education is investigating at least a dozen schools for antisemitism violations.
Some professors say the spotlight on campuses is an opportunity for vigorous debate about antisemitism, Islamophobia, and the First Amendment protections for free speech and protests.
(For Radio: Kenneth Stern is the director of the Bard Center for the Study of Hate)
(Kenneth Stern, Bard Center for the Study of Hate Director (Male, English) (SOT at 8:09) (Mandatory credit Zoom)
“I would much rather college presidents and boards actually focus on these issues rather than how we are going to beat up on a college president for a bad sound bite in a congressional hearing that’s not important. I see why some people think it is symbolically important, but it is not as important as how we are going to use our college resources to turn out the next generation of critical thinkers on difficult issues like this.”
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. has more than 4000 college and university campuses. Not all or even most are accused of antisemitism or Islamophobia. Some academics say the current climate is creating a chilling effect on free speech and academic freedom.
Robin Guess, VOA News
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