Stand Up for Academic Freedom; Support Joel Kovel
We, the undersigned, protest the decision of Bard College to terminate Professor Joel Kovel's contract, after 21 years, and reject the college's interpretation that this was solely for financial reasons. We believe the record to show a pattern of prejudice based on hostility to Professor Kovel's criticism of Zionism and the State of Israel. (For Kovel's full statement and chronology of events visit codz.org). The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) has expressed "concern that [Bard's] decision to terminate Joel Kovel's appointment as Distinguished Professor of Social Studies at Bard College may have been, at least in part, politically motivated. [This would] constitute a serious violation of the principles of academic freedom and a threat to all teachers and students who exercise their right to teach about, and speak out publicly on, controversial issues, including Zionism and Israel." We join with MESA and many people across the world to demand that the Bard administration re-evaluate Joel Kovel's professorship under fair and just conditions.
Thank you,
The undersigned.
We, the undersigned, protest the decision of Bard College to terminate Professor Joel Kovel's contract, and reject the college's interpretation that this was solely for financial reasons. We believe the record to show a pattern of prejudice based on hostility to Professor Kovel's criticism of Zionism and the State of Israel. (For Kovel's full statement and chronology of events visit codz.org). The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) has expressed "concern that [Bard's] decision to terminate Joel Kovel's appointment as Distinguished Professor of Social Studies at Bard College may have been, at least in part, politically motivated. [This would] constitute a serious violation of the principles of academic freedom and a threat to all teachers and students who exercise their right to teach about, and speak out publicly on, controversial issues, including Zionism and Israel." We join with MESA and many people across the world to demand that the Bard administration re-evaluate Joel Kovel's professorship under fair and just conditions.
Thank you.
