But, what, exactly are they planning to do? The article is rather light on that
UNC pledges action in response to concerns over antisemitism: ‘We will do more’
Amidst a national discourse on antisemitism, some members of the UNC-Chapel Hill community have voiced concerns over its campus environment.
“We had a student saying that they support Hamas. We had fliers calling for the destruction of the state of Israel,” said Neill Motus, a junior who grew up in Israel.
“I hear Jewish jokes every single day. I hear antisemitism every single week. It’s unfair. I’ve never in my entire life ever seen this,” added sophomore Justin Sonnenreich.
Over the past two months, ABC11 has spoken with students, faculty, parents, and donors, who have expressed their hopes the university would take stronger measures to support Jewish students.
“The Jewish community at UNC represents below 2% of the student body. And I think it’s imperative for the Jewish community to seek out growth, to seek out understanding and to bridge this gap,” expressed Sonnenreich.
If any other group acted the way the pro-Hamas demonstrators did the administration would have identified who they were and kicked them out and then held a forum explaining that the campus does not stand for that type of hateful and violent rhetoric, nor for physical harassment of other students. While the UNC chancellor has said the right things, and was blasted by other employees of Chapel Hill, nothing has been done
In a statement, Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz responded to the event (2 weeks ago):
“I was appalled by the remarks of a visiting speaker at a recent event on our campus regarding the war in the Middle East. Her language did not align with the values of our university community. Our university strives for discussions made rich by expertise and a variety of perspectives. We expect those conversations to bring learning and understanding, not applause or support for violence or prejudice. We have made our expectations clear to our campus and will continue to do so. The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is reviewing the practices and policies for how panels are organized, and how we support free speech, and also host events that encourage respectful debate rather than hate.”
He was appalled, like he was appalled from previous “protests”, and has done nothing.
She emphasized other efforts to foster understanding amongst all students.
“I know that we are planning to do a lot more training around issues of antisemitism, discrimination, Islamophobia. I think that that we can step it up and engage more folks in the conversation. It’s a large campus. And in talking with some of our students, they’re not even aware of what’s going on in the world in terms of Israel and Hamas, so I think we have to do a better job of making sure that they’re engaged in those conversations because these are their fellow classmates that are feeling this pain and this hurt and these threats. And so we can do more and I think we will do more,” Cox explained, adding university officials have participated in panel discussions with Jewish, Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian students.
And, that appears to be it. Conversation. How do you have one with people who support wiping Israel from the map and killing Jews? Who support what Hamas did on October 7?
In response to those reservations, Schiff has cancelled plans to attend his 60th reunion next year, and ceased contributions to the university, including a planned six-figure donation as part of his will.
It could be that the university is saying they are going to Do Something because they are seeing donations dry up. But, they aren’t really doing anything. Because they’d rather allow the Jew hatred, intimidation, and harassment than get blasted with calls of Islamophobia for punishing the pro-Hamas students and faculty. Like most Democratic party run college, they’re doing nothing.
The university system has a great number of tools they can use to punish people for hate speach. Their problem seems to be identifying which groups they will defend at the expense of others.
Ideally, universities should get out of the business of political activism on campus and allow the free expression of ideas among students, even ideas that are hateful or offensive. But the universities cannot do that since they were the birthplace of hate speech rules to promote their favored ideas and oppress holders of alternative ideas. In this, the universities have totally failed. If an Israeli and a Hamas supporter cannot discuss their views on a university campus without resorting to violence, then what chance do diplomats have doing the same thing? Given, those diplomats on both sides graduated from those same schools. The universities have abandoned their roles as purveyors of information and promoters of reasoned thought and become nothing by activists. But communists never give up power once they have it. They have to have the power taken from them.
There is no acceptance for “wrong think” on any campus.
Teach
Firs freedom of expression apply to those who are anti zionist ?
Does “Freedom of Expression” apply to drag queens and anti zionists in all places supported by public monies? Should any and all speakers and views be welcome even if they are wrong think? Should groups calling for a cease fire be allowed? Exactly who and where should the line be drawn ? There are well over 2000 Muslim students at UNC Chapel Hil. And that is def a liberal school