University Policy
Exchange, Not Isolation

Academic freedom is one of the most fundamental principles that guide a university. To effectively educate students and conduct research projects, a university must not “hold intellectual exchange hostage of the political disagreements of the moment,” as Columbia University President Lee Bollinger declared. So when University and College Union members announced that they were considering boycotting Israeli schools, Chancellor Robert Birgeneau quickly condemned the decision and stated that UC Berkeley will stand in solidarity with the Israeli universities.

The University and College Union, which is comprised of professors from British universities, believes that academic ties with Israeli schools should be severed because the schools play a role in the occupation of Palestine. However, the proposed boycott, which would call for a stop to activities such as joint publishing and visits with Israeli schools, will not contribute to a solution. Barring people from cultural and scientific exchange only promotes more narrow thinking. Exchange is more effective than isolation, and in such a delicate, controversial case, cutting off ties does not resolve the issues.

On that note, the chancellor should not have responded by threatening to sever ties with the British universities, either. Birgeneau’s statement was well-intentioned but misguided. By issuing what almost sounds like an ultimatum, the chancellor has also limited negotiations with the British group that could help ease the tensions. Furthermore, he did not thoroughly consider the views of students and professors. As the leader and face of this university, his statement is construed by the public as the opinion of the entire university, an opinion that many people may not share. Losing cooperation from British universities affects students and professors more than the administration, and such a statement should not have been made on our behalf without some input from students and staff.