Columbia University: no bias
צילום: איי פי
Columbia University: no anti-Semitism
Panel finds no evidence of intimidation, inappropriate statements
A Columbia University panel investigating student complaints of intimidation by Middle East and Asian Studies professors said on Thursday it found no evidence that teachers made anti-Semitic statements.
The five-member committee was formed in December after a videotape backed by a pro-Israel group showed Columbia students saying professors had mistreated them and held pro-Palestinian biases.
The Columbia controversy is one of several freedom of speech issues to hit U.S. college campuses. Harvard University President Lawrence Summers was criticized for comments about women's aptitude for science, while University of Colorado Professor Ward Churchill came under fire for an article he wrote comparing Sept. 11, 2001 victims to Nazis.
The Columbia panel said it found no cases where students were penalized for their views.
But the report did cite deficiencies in the school's grievance and advisory procedures and said that one faculty member acted inappropriately toward a student in an exchange centering on Israel and Palestinian relations.
The report cited campus tensions dating back to 2001, with pro-Israel students disrupting lectures and teachers fearing they were being spied on.
Some students were upset that certain classes were canceled in April, 2002 so that professors could attend a pro-Palestinian rally, according to the report.
The panel also found that Professor Joseph Massad did not exercise "responsible self-discipline" in an exchange with a student in 2002. The student said Massad threatened to kick her out of class for "denying atrocities ... committed against Palestinians."
Massad denies the incident took place.
