Amherst College Department of Chemistry Chair Responds to Oxford University Press With Protest of UCU Boycott Proposal

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SPME Editor’s Note In response to an inquiry from Oxford University Press, below, Joseph Kushick, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Amherst College, wrote a response which appears below the inquiry from Oxford University Press
—–Original Message—–
From: Oxford University Press <“Oxford_University_Press>
Sent: Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:20:48 -0400
Subject: Liberal arts chemistry course improvement survey

July 23, 2007

Dear Professor Kushick,

My name is Steven Henry, and I work in the Chemistry Division at Oxford University Press. Currently, along with the Chemistry editors, I am conducting research into the Liberal Arts Chemistry course. We at Oxford believe this introductory chemistry course for non-science majors is one of the most important offerings in the curriculum, and we would like to request your help.

As part of our commitment to the Liberal Arts course, we have created a Web survey, and we cordially invite you to participate in it. If you currently teach, or have taught recently, the Liberal Arts course and can complete the survey no later than August 10, 2007, simply click on the link below to participate! Responding to the questionnaire takes approximately 20 minutes, and upon your completion of it, we can offer you the honorarium of one of a select group of popular Oxford titles (a value of up to $70).

Your contributions to this research will help us publish better books for you and your students. Like you, we are committed to making sure that students learn what they need to know about chemistry today so they can become the scientifically literate citizens we need tomorrow.

Many thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!

Web Survey Link http://pull.xmr3.com/p/384-948D/3916455/clickto1__2bwSf8QX2KaXtuknYI_2bw_3d_3d.html

With very best regards,

Steven Henry
Marketing Assistant
Oxford University Press

Jason Noe
Senior Editor
Oxford University Press

Cassandra Palmer
Editorial Assistant
Oxford University Press

Oxford University Press
198 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10016

—————————————————————————

Dear Mr. Henry:

As you are surely aware, there is a campaign being waged on several fronts in the UK, including by the UCU, to single out Israel and Israeli institutions for ostracism and boycott. I have already signed a statement declaring myself Israeli for the purposes of any such boycott, and I therefore find myself unable to participate in your survey pending a resolution of this matter in the UK.

Sincerely,

Joseph Kushick
Professor & Chair
Department of Chemistry
Amherst College

Amherst College Department of Chemistry Chair Responds to Oxford University Press With Protest of UCU Boycott Proposal

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