CSL finds Source guilty of harassment
Rob Silverblatt
Issue date: 4/30/07 Section: News
The Committee on Student Life (CSL) today released a decision finding The Primary Source, Tufts' conservative journal, guilty of harassment and creating a hostile environment.
As a result of the verdict, all pieces in the Source must now be attributed to specific authors. The CSL, which is comprised of students and faculty members, also recommended that "student governance consider the behavior of student groups in future decisions concerning funding and recognition," according to a copy of the decision that was sent to the Daily.
Today's result stems from an April 30 hearing during which two separate cases against the Source were heard. In one, David Dennis, an African-American senior, said that the Source's Dec. 6 carol "O Come All Ye Black Folk" constituted harassment and the creation of a hostile environment. In the other, the Muslim Students Association brought the same two charges against The Primary Source for its April 11 piece "Islam - Arabic Translation: Submission." Both of these Source pieces were unsigned.
Senior and Primary Source Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Douglas Kingman called the decision the unfair result of a "show trial."
The hearing, which lasted five and a half hours, became "an airing of grievances against all ills on campus, both real and perceived, which were then attributed to the existence of The Primary Source," he said.
Kingman said that during the hearings, the evidence presented was "off-topic to the allegations at hand," and that he was disappointed by the behavior of the audience, which he described as "very rowdy at times," and of CSL Faculty Chair Barbara Grossman, who had several "inappropriate outbursts."
"We … did not think the hearing was particularly balanced when [Grossman] related political statements made in The Primary Source to spray painting swastikas on the side of synagogues," Kingman said.
Grossman, who chairs the Department of Dance and Drama, declined to speak with the Daily after releasing the verdict, but did issue a written statement in which she said that while finding appropriate and balanced consequences for The Primary Source was difficult, the CSL's decision to rule against it was "unequivocal."
As a result of the verdict, all pieces in the Source must now be attributed to specific authors. The CSL, which is comprised of students and faculty members, also recommended that "student governance consider the behavior of student groups in future decisions concerning funding and recognition," according to a copy of the decision that was sent to the Daily.
Today's result stems from an April 30 hearing during which two separate cases against the Source were heard. In one, David Dennis, an African-American senior, said that the Source's Dec. 6 carol "O Come All Ye Black Folk" constituted harassment and the creation of a hostile environment. In the other, the Muslim Students Association brought the same two charges against The Primary Source for its April 11 piece "Islam - Arabic Translation: Submission." Both of these Source pieces were unsigned.
Senior and Primary Source Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Douglas Kingman called the decision the unfair result of a "show trial."
The hearing, which lasted five and a half hours, became "an airing of grievances against all ills on campus, both real and perceived, which were then attributed to the existence of The Primary Source," he said.
Kingman said that during the hearings, the evidence presented was "off-topic to the allegations at hand," and that he was disappointed by the behavior of the audience, which he described as "very rowdy at times," and of CSL Faculty Chair Barbara Grossman, who had several "inappropriate outbursts."
"We … did not think the hearing was particularly balanced when [Grossman] related political statements made in The Primary Source to spray painting swastikas on the side of synagogues," Kingman said.
Grossman, who chairs the Department of Dance and Drama, declined to speak with the Daily after releasing the verdict, but did issue a written statement in which she said that while finding appropriate and balanced consequences for The Primary Source was difficult, the CSL's decision to rule against it was "unequivocal."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
Blowback
posted 5/11/07 @ 9:11 PM EST
Just so we're clear, in Saudi Arabia, Ms. Grossman wouldn't be able to work at a university without permission of her father, husband, or brother. To avoid being accused of harassment, I won't say whether I think this is a good thing, or a bad thing. (Continued…)
Larry S
posted 5/12/07 @ 1:10 PM EST
To add more clarity to Ms Grossman's muddled thinking, I like to see her take any of her department's dance projects on tour to the Islamic world and escape without being stoned to death. (Continued…)
Larry S
posted 5/12/07 @ 2:00 PM EST
The "punishment" is to mandate that all editorials in The Primary Source be signed. That might not sound like much until you consider the curious habit Moslems have of placing fatwahs on the heads of those they perceive as given them "offense" - no matter the truth of what was said nor the freedom of expression that protects it in Western culture. (Continued…)
StillBreathing
posted 5/12/07 @ 11:24 PM EST
What can we say? A major American university is punishing students for communicating a truth that is important to public policy. It's outrageous, but just another chapter in the infantilization of the college student. (Continued…)
Larry S
posted 5/13/07 @ 6:24 AM EST
I would like to hereby make the motion that The Pachyderm henceforth be titled The Leptoderm.
Larry S
posted 5/13/07 @ 9:21 AM EST
I can't help but think of the movie "Pleasantville" with Ms Grossman in the role of the J T Walsh's "Big Bob" character. At Tufts, everyday is 72 degrees with bluebird skies - the birds chirp and the flowers bloom with nary a cloud in sight. (Continued…)
braveheart
posted 5/14/07 @ 11:29 AM EST
this is nonsense. it's like saying that in order to attend a rally you need to put your name in an online database. people should be able to post their feelings anonymously even if it can be offensive. (Continued…)
J. Brassard
posted 5/14/07 @ 12:15 PM EST
If they are forcing the Source to add a byline to every story, then the Daily/Observer/et. al. must be equally accountable.
It is such a shame Tufts University is once again striving with all its might to silence the Primary Source. (Continued…)
Steve
posted 5/14/07 @ 5:16 PM EST
This decision is so blatantly off of the path of free and open speech it is indefensible. People should not, and indeed, do not, have the right to not be offended. (Continued…)
Tim Jackson
posted 5/14/07 @ 6:58 PM EST
Well over here in the UK I thought you lot had the free speech thing sorted out.
Apparently not.
So you can't exercise your right to free speech if someone says they feel harassed, even if what you are saying is factual? I expect that your University will become increasingly embarrassed over this nonsense in the next few days. (Continued…)
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