Alums for Campus Fairness applauds Pitzer College President Melvin Oliver for his remarks condemning a faculty vote to sever ties with the campus’ study abroad program at the University of Haifa.

“To deny Pitzer students who want to study at Haifa University the opportunity to study abroad and to enter into dialogue and promote intercultural understanding at the altar of political considerations is anathema to Pitzer’s core values,” Oliver said in a statement which garnered media attention last week.

The Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) Movement-inspired faculty vote had taken place last month and called for an end to the campus’ only study abroad program in Israel. Pitzer’s student senate immediately condemned the vote, setting the stage for a campus College Council discussion on the motion.

“While we thank President Oliver for his unequivocal condemnation of this attack on academic freedom at Pitzer College,” ACF Executive Director Avi Gordon said. “Limits on student experiences at Pitzer should never be imposed by politically driven faculty members or outside divisive rhetoric.”

ACF had circulated a petition asking Oliver to defend the study abroad program and academic freedom at Pitzer. A final vote will take place in the spring.

 

Contact: Avi D. Gordon, Executive Director Alums for Campus Fairness

917-512-4585 | [email protected]