The British University and College Union (UCU) recently voted to propose a boycott of Israeli academic institutions and scholars. I stand opposed. As chancellor of a campus that has seen its share of contentious discourse around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I know firsthand these dialogues can be quite difficult. But an attempt to shun an entire community of scholars based on what appears to be political opposition to the policies of the incumbent government is misguided, outrageous and wrong.

We strongly support academic freedom and freedom of speech. An academic boycott is diametrically opposed to the core values of our university. The highly charged atmosphere in the Middle East demands more contact with the professoriate, not less. Our campus is in fact increasing its contacts with scholars from Israel and the Middle East. Conversely, an academic boycott stifles the intellectual honesty and open discussion that are essential to a rational understanding of any subject. It is a bad idea.

True academic freedom cannot thrive in an environment where any scholar is oppressed, excluded or punished for his or her views, whatever they may be, or whatever we may assume them to be.

Fiat Lux,

Michael V. Drake, M.D.
Chancellor