MONTREAL/November 13, 2002—
MONTREAL/November 13, 2002 ñ Concordia University's senior administration today expressed its concern over the Concordia Student Union's (CSU) invitation to Members of Parliament, Svend Robinson and Libby Davies, and social activist Judy Rebick to the University this Friday, in order ìto break,î as the press release terms it, this University's Board of Governors moratorium on certain public events related to the Israel/Palestine conflict.
ìThis most recent attempt to undermine the senior administration's efforts to restore a climate of civil debate on Middle East Issues, is particularly disturbing and irresponsible in light of current international tensions,î said Rector Lowy, at today's press conference. ìThere is no moratorium on discussing the Middle East conflict in both student newspapers and in Concordia's Thursday Report, the official paper of the University. Indeed we have found that since the Board's decision, there has been a wide-ranging and comprehensive debate in these three publications.î
There is also no moratorium in raising these issues in various courses. Discussions on these matters have taken place in many Concordia classrooms throughout this semester. However, this event clearly contravenes the spirit of the moratorium, and undermines the administration's attempts to bring all sides together.
The Honorable Marcel Danis added that, ìThe University is examining its legal options, which will be exercised, should the event proceed.î The moratorium was imposed under our normal legislative process that is sanctioned by our University charter under the Quebec government. This decision is a reasoned response in the wake of violent acts perpetrated by some individuals on University premises on September 9th of this year.
Mr. Robinson's previous stand in matters of freedom of speech is commendable and therefore the University find's itself at a loss to explain why he would choose to oppose measures whose aim is to ensure that people respect the right to dialogue in constructive ways while respecting the rights of others to do the same.
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