Word: gsa
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...challenge to Pattullo's ability to speak out was less direct, but threatened an equality chiling effect. Upset by Pattullo's stance which is termed "fuel for anti-gay violence and hatred," the GSA announced that it would circulate a petition condemning the letter and ask Henry Rosovsky, dean of the Faculty, to conduct an investigation into the policy and practices of the Center for Behavioral Sciences. The reason for the investigation, according to GSA officials: Because Pattullo included his title as director of the center at the end of his controversial letter, he had cast doubt upon the practices...
...practical, utilitarian rationale for unimpeded expression certainly is in suggesting that the Law School should not have invited Abu-Loghod to the conference, the HJLSA was effectively trying to close the door to alternative views--seeking to exclude the PLO because it found that group's activities objectionable. The GSA, too, sought to corner the market of ideas--in this case on homosexuality. In pushing for an investigation of the center Pattullo heads in response to his airing of views they deplored, the GSA threatened to chill the speech of their opponents. Who wouldn't think twice about speaking...
...community than the exclusion of competing views. Except an educational issues, universities need not--and probably should not--have political ideologies, like support or oppositions to the PLO. They should, however, safeguard one set of values--that of pluralism, discourse and toleration. The gestures of the HJLSA and the GSA in trying to silence their critics, would undermine those values...
...their campus, probably a vast majority of students oppose the PLO. And if this year's GSA quiescence suggests anything, it is that much of this campus now supports its gay members drive for equality and toleration. The divergent views of a lone individual will not harm either came. Support for Israel's quest for peaceful existence without the PLO and gay students quest for normal lives without governments that discourage their lifestyles, are, in my view, correct. But the popularity of one view is no reason to silence competing ideas--only to seek to rebut them...
...same token, the GSA could have simply circulated is petition criticizing Pattullo's suggestion and called for Rosovsky to reitcrate that Harvard has no intention of following his advice. That step would not discourage Pattullo and fellow faculty members from speaking their minds, at the same time, it would have shown Pattullo and others with administrative responsibilities that their personal views towards putting social pressure on homosexuals should not in any way affect their University duties. An investigation of the practices of the Center for Behavioral Sciences should hinge not on the statements of a single administrator, but on some...