Boycott of Israeli universities ‘not widely ed’
Dear Editors,
Re: “Boycott a matter of academic freedom”: Hitchcock (Journal, Sept. 14, 2007)
The statements of Queen’s Coalition against Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (QCRED) and professor Margaret Pappano reflect at best an ignorance of the the British University and College Union resolution proclaiming a boycott of all Israeli academics, or at worst a complete renunciation of the principles of non-discrimination that QCRED’s name suggests.
First, the boycott is not widely ed (of the 120,000 teachers and other staff that the union proclaims to represent, only 158 voted in favour) and widely denounced by many academics including several Nobel Prize laureates and Sari Nusseibeh, the Palestinian president of Al-Quds University in East Jerusalem.
Second, the resolution targets just one country while others—including Sudan, China and Iran— have far worse human rights records. In Egypt, two professors were recently tortured for allegedly aiding a student protest.
Finally, even in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian situation the resolution is completely one-sided, ignoring the violence that the Palestinians inflict upon the Israelis and upon themselves. Principal Hitchcock is correct in taking a non-political stance and encouraging academic freedom throughout the world.
It is only through discussion, exchange of ideas and vigorous debate that peace will be achieved. By opposing the condemnation of such a clearly discriminatory and one-sided resolution it is Queen’s Coalition against Racial and Ethnic Discrimination who are truly being prejudiced.
Jeremy Opolsky
ArtSci ’07
Former Clark Hall staff help continue engineering traditions
Dear Editors, Re: “Former Clark Hall employees acted inappropriately” (Journal, Sept. 14, 2007)
I would like to respond to Matt Lato’s letter regarding the actions of former Clark Hall Pub staff at this year’s Grease Pole event.
Mr. Lato, you speak of Frosh Week’s traditions of camaraderie, and teamwork as well as developing a sense of belonging. But unless things have changed since I attended Queen’s, Clark Hall Pub was one of the primary instruments used to develop these traditions. Throughout all of Frosh Week, it was the responsibility of the Science Constables to ensure every frosh was welcomed and that all events ran smoothly.
You speak of the songs they learn, and the people they meet that unify them into a year. Unless you were at a different Grease Pole than the one I attended this year, I would suggest to you that it was the ‘former staff’ you refer to that were in the pit, coaching the frosh on their climb, and ensuring their safety. Furthermore, it was another one of these ‘former staff’ that orchestrated the final climb to get the tam– a deeply unifying experience for any year. I’m also fairly confident that the ‘song and dance’ that was done in the pit, after they got the tam, was the Clark Hall Pub song and dance.
I cannot argue with your statement that this issue between Clark and the Engineering Society has been over-broadcast, slanted, and taken way out of proportion. Nor can I argue with the fact that the signs you refer to were juvenile (although I did not see them myself). However, the actions of a few do not represent the opinion of a group. You cannot tell me that it was former Clark staff alone that brought offensive material to the Grease Pole. This is something that has happened for years, and it will happen for years to come.
I am confident that when the core issue between Clark and the EngSoc is resolved, Science Constables will once again be looked upon to lead by example in ensuring every first-year receives a warm welcome to Queen’s and introduction to the spirit of Engineering.
David Yokom, Frec Committee ’00, Sci ’03, EngSoc ’03, M.Sc ’05
Campus construction far from ‘neat’
Dear Editors,
Re: “Construction security increased as students return” (Journal, Sept. 7, 2007)
It is disturbing to hear Ms. Browne’s opinion on the delayed construction to University Avenue. Almost everyone I know thinks the current state of things is not “neat” but rather a huge inconvenience, and an even bigger embarrassment to our school. Construction to University Avenue was supposed to be completed by September and the fact that Ms. Browne is dismissing the delays as something students don’t have a problem with shows a complete lack of leadership. I have noted that the construction crew leaves the site by 4 p.m., and don’t work on weekends. No wonder there are delays. We have a person in charge who doesn’t think it’s a big deal to have a massive hole in the middle of campus and a construction crew who don’t work longer than 40 hours a week. In most projects the people in charge are held able when things go wrong. This case should be no exception.
Brian Maxwell
ArtSci ’08
More answers needed on course cancellations
Dear Editors,
Re: “Engineers lose electives” (Journal, September 14, 2007)
Thank you for investigating why engineers are losing their courses this year. It’s an important topic that hasn’t been talked about enough on campus. The article left me wondering, however, why the department waited so long to inform students about the cuts to their courses. The cancellations were due to budget cuts which should have been foreseeable long before Aug. 30.
I’m optimistic that you will continue to investigate this issue in the days to come.
Alexi White
ArtSci ’08
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