California State University, NorthridgeCalifornia State University, Northridge
Sept. 13, 1996
Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandler,
(818) 677-2130
cchandler@exec.csun.edu
The university's student government association, an independent, nonprofit corporation that manages its own funds, invited Duke, a former Ku Klux Klans leader, to participate in a Sept. 25 debate about affirmative action on campus.
The invitation evoked strong criticism of the students' decision from media pundits, politicians, and citizens.
Criticism was directed also at the university president for allowing" the students to invite Duke. But Wilson emphasized that her personal views and the views of the faculty could not justify interference with the student-organized debate.
President Wilson said the faculty's statement, combined with student sentiment and her own views "amounts to a university-wide consensus. The resolution by the faculty supports our students and the values of free speech, tolerance, and civility. The faculty have provided a voice of reason and wisdom."
The senators approved on a voice vote the following resolution:
"The Faculty Senate of California State University, Northridge upholds the principles of free speech, academic freedom, reasoned debate and differences of opinion on such issues as affirmative action. We also recognize and uphold the rights of Associated Students at this University to invoke those principles in their choice of invited speakers, no matter how controversial their views.
"However, we wish to express our abhorrence of the views and practices of individuals such as David Duke and those like him who propagate hatred, and to reaffirm the principles of racial and ethnic harmony and tolerance which are at the heart of the values of this University."