Open Letter from Indiana University Bloomington Faculty re: Campus Protests and Arrests

Comments

#402

I remember the encampments from the Gulf War, and the difference in administration response is telling and disheartening to say the least.

David Dzubay (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#412

I am a law school professor who daily aspires to teach our future leaders of civil society to act ethically, compassionately, and in ways that encourage and foster trust in institutions. The administration has betrayed this trust by escalating the situation into the unaccountable hands of militarized police units on campus that are harming students protesting peacefully. If this is not halted immediately, a member of our community will be seriously hurt or worse. Whether or not one agrees with the viewpoint of these students, they have a right to protest peacefully on campus like generations of students before them.

Victor Quintanilla (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#417

With snipers pointed to students and faculties, is not acceptable, nor forgivable.

xuhong zhang (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#419

Professor of Practice Emerita (Biology) and IU graduate 1970.

Karen Bush (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#420

Associate Professor of Musicology, Jacobs School of Music

Giovanni Zanovello (Bloomington, IN, 2024-04-28)

#425

The free discussion and debate of ideas is absolutely fundamental to the mission of the university.

James Andrews (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#426

I’m signing because I am appalled at the response to the student/faculty demonstration. This is NOT the Indiana University way.

Carol-Anne Hossler (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#429

Professor Emeritus, English and American Studies
This was a violation of Constitutional freedom of speech and an unnecessary provocation by the administration.

Robert Ivie (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#431

Distinguished Professor, Luddy Professor of Informatics and Computing

Filippo Menczer (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#432

Violently arresting students and faculty for peacefully expressing their political opinions through assembling and protesting in an appropriate time, place, and manner not only infringes students' and faculty members' constitutionally protected rights, and undermines the principles Indiana University stands for, but is an example of the appalling bad judgment that has led to a faculty vote of no confidence in President Whitten and her administration. I respectfully ask the Board of Trustees to take seriously how badly President Whitten is damaging this University.

Prof. Cynthia A. Williams
Roscoe C. O'Byrne Chair in Law
Indiana University, Maurer School of Law

Cynthia Williams (Bloomington, IN, 2024-04-28)

#433

The reaction to the students' protest was an egregious and completely unnecessary response to the student protests.

Carol Watson (BLOOMINGTON, 2024-04-28)

#436

I believe deeply in freedom of speech and the rights of citizens to express themselves without having to fear threats or acts of violence. As an alum and a retired faculty member, I am appalled by the actions that have been authorized by President Whitten and her associates. This is a sad and frightening time for all of us who love Indiana University. The only way forward is to demand the immediate resignation of the president and provost.

Patricia Andrews (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#438

In my 60 years of association with IU as a student and faculty member, I have never seen such a violent and militaristic response to student protests as this one. The Vietnam War protests in the 1960s were more intense, widespread and lengthy, but at IU there was no response like this one. Instead there was a respect from administrators for peaceful protest. At Kent State University, however, four students were killed by the Ohio State National Guard when protesting the Vietnam War. It seems that IU administrators have no historical understanding of what can happen when armed forces are used to put down a protest. This is unacceptable academic mismanagement and a violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

David Weaver (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#447

Associate Professor of History, IUB

Roberta Pergher (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#450

The decision of the administration to militarize the campus is an egregious affront to the values of our university, and likely to provoke yet more violence.

Edmund Cord (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#455

Chancellor’s Professor of Linguistics

Daniel Dinnsen (Carmel IN, 2024-04-28)

#460

Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the Faculties and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, I am distraught by the news of such outrageous, unjustified police actions during peaceful protests on our campus. What a travesty and sad, sad day for higher education in Indiana and the USA.

Jeanne Sept (Friday Harbor, 2024-04-28)

#463

Professor and former chair, Philosophy Department.

I am appalled by the overnight ad hoc policy change, the decision to call in heavily armed state police, and the resulting abuse and arrests of students and faculty, followed by punitive sanctions. This has created a climate of fear on campus, which should be a safe environment for students. Some of the students in my introduction to philosophical problems class were present and reported that it was a really frightening experience, and it has changed their view of IU forever. These decisions show a colossal lack of good judgment, a failure of basic decency, real callousness toward students--masked by a facile and disingenuous rationale nearly empty of content--and a disrespect both for IU's traditions and for the liberties of thought, speech, and assembly enshrined in the constitution.

Kirk Ludwig (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#467

Even after the no confidence votes over their repeated failure to comply with IU policies and procedures, embarrassing IU internationally by trampling on academic freedom, and eschewing faculty and student input on important matters of policy and procedure; they aimed guns at and brutalized students and faculty, who were peacefully protesting on property designated for that purpose, because of tents!?! This travesty clearly rests with Whitten and Shrivastav - other major universities in our state have not made this call. I remember the tragedy at Kent State almost 54 years ago. I don’t want that happening again.
Provost Professor, Dept of Gender Studies

Stephanie Sanders (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#469

Professor Emeritus of Music (Composition)
Jacobs School of Music

Eugene O’Brien (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#470

We cannot simply stand by when unarmed students are brutally treated by law enforcement. Get the guns off campus.

Associate Professor, Libraries

Misti Shaw (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#473

The actions taken by the current President and Provost of IU-B do not align with present principles of free speech at this University.

Robert Meier (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#475

Where were the President and Provost during the rally in Dunn Meadow? Real academic leaders would have appeared at the rally to hear the grievances expressed by their students and faculty, and then explain the University’s position. Perhaps the President and Provost feared for their safety, knowing the Indiana State Police would soon arrive to break up the rally by force. Perhaps they worried that they would be mistaken for true campus leaders by the police and suffer the consequences. No wonder they stayed safely away.

Larry Thibos (Bloomington, 2024-04-28)

#479

When anti-Kinsey protesters flanked by armed Scallywags III-percenter biker group staged a protest outside of Lindley Hall in 2022, our administration went out of its way to protect their speech (arresting a counter-protester, in fact). But state police in anti-riot and military gear were called in to forcibly remove peaceful, unarmed students from an exclusively designated area for free speech and protest. There is now a consistent pattern of privileging, tolerating, and protecting only a particular kind of speech, and using all manner of unqualified security and procedural excuses to deny dialogue and counterpoints.

Huss Banai (Indianapolis, 2024-04-28)

#481

Green-lighting a violent response to a non-violent protest, following an ad hoc decision that changed the standards of free speech on campus, was morally wrong, an abuse of power, and bad for IU.

Jonathan Schlesinger (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#485

Please Trustees, hear us on this: we are people who care deeply about IU and its community. The President and Provost's decisions this week unnecessarily endangered members of our community, suppressed an American right to free speech, and are doing long-term damage to the University's reputation and ability to excel.

Assistant Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Travis O'Brien (Bloomington, IN, 2024-04-29)

#486

Although I do not know enough to support all the statements in the petition, I believe that IU should have followed the (now former) policy on Dunn Meadow, which was very thoughtful.

However, I do object to the phrase "some hogtied as if they were animals". Why?

1. Of course, people are animals, and I do not wish to create even more separation and attitudes of domination than already exist in people's thoughts. (Think of the word "pig" for police, or, more generally, how we treat nature.)

2. In addition, I think that phrase is used to suggest that people were treated worse than they deserve by virtue of their being human, in contrast to what is supposedly unobjectionable for other animals. While we do frequently treat other animals poorly, I object to the implication that they don't deserve better.

Russell Lyons (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#489

Adjunct Faculty
Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering

Kayce Reed-Buechlein (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#492

Protest is a fundamental right. A show of force by a militarized police is no way for a campus to “handle” this.

Brant Moriarity (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#493

Professor, Biology; Microbiology Graduate Program Director

James McKinlay (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#497

The handling of the Dunn Meadow incident put our students and colleagues in danger unnecessarily, and the explanations and justifications offered after the fact have not convinced me that future cases will be handled differently.

Nick Vogt (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#498

Senior Lecturer, Kelley School of Business

Taryn Malher (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#499

This is for the sake of my students, faculty, and freedom of speech. It is concerning to witness the university administration's involvement in the arrest of protesters. On Thursday, April 25, 2024, around 4:40 PM, some of my students arrived to class terrified by what they had witnessed approximately half an hour earlier involving the police on campus. Two of their classmates were arrested, with one being forcefully restrained on the ground. They stated that they believed the area was designated as a protected space for protest. Neither they nor I were aware at the time of the ad hoc committee that had changed the rules overnight. Even though the police were not permitting overnight structures in Dunn Meadow, the students were arrested way before 11:00 PM.

Asaad Alsaleh (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#500

It is unacceptable and incomprehensible that Indiana University administration has chosen to support actions against free speech and expression.

William Wamathai (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#501

As a IUB faculty member I resent the overreaction of the IU administration. Placing snipers on the IMU roof is deeply offensive and dangerous. Remember how things got out of control at Kent State (and I'm old enough to remember that personally; I was 16 and it was important to the formation of my world view).

George Fowler (Indianapolis, 2024-04-29)

#503

Kelley School of Business-Finance
I’m signing because I love Indiana University, and I hate what it is becoming under the current Whitten administration.

Steven Sibley (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#505

An excessive, impetuous, and unnecessary overreaction to peaceful protests.

Gregory Demas (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#508

The clear and unprovoked conflict escalation caused by the IU leadership is detrimental to the very foundation of what IU stands for. Meeting a peaceful protest with militarized forces is an outrage. IU should be about critical thinking, skillful communication, and empathy (including with people with whom you disagree), but the actions of the police on the orders of the IU leadership was in direct opposition to such values, and they have disgraced our institution.

Morten Oxenboell (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#512

I’m signing this petition because I agree completely with all the sentiments expressed in this petition. As an Emeritus Professor who spent over 30 years as an IU faculty member I am embarrassed for our institution. It borders on unbelievable that Pam and Rahul could have ordered and directed these egregious decisions. Such overreactions to peaceful protests are beyond any conceivable justification. It was shocking to see riot police and snipers on the rooftops pointing their weapons at our IU community. They must both resign immediately. Our plans to bequeath gifts to this once grand institution will now easily find some other place where the recipients uphold value of free speech and academic free and open expression. HEAR US BOARD OF TRUSTEES! THESE TWO MUST GO IMMEDIATELY!

Fred Pavalko (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#516

Professor of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

Michael Hamburger (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#520

Professor of History and English
Director, Collins Living-Learning Center
All students should be the center of our universe.

Lara Kriegel (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#529

I am saddened and angered at what Whitten and the BOT and their goons have done to IU.

Laura Ginger (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#535

IU's leadership, starting with President Whitten and Provost Shrivastav, have sanctioned an attack on our students and this university's tradition of peaceful protest and free speech.

Michael Stallings (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#541

I'm signing because it is incredibly clear to me that neither President Whitten and Provost Shirvastav are concerned with safety or with free speech. The decision to bring in the Indiana State Police in full Riot gear and to have them advance on students and faculty not once, but twice is simply outrageous.

sandra washburn (bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#544

I'm signing because I'm shamed by the actions of the institution I have devoted my career to. I love IU, it has been my home for much of my adult life, and it deeply saddens me to see it in the hands of such dangerously incompetent leadership.

Jim Musser (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#548

I work on campus at the Kinsey Institute. This President has ruined her own reputation and damaged Indiana University. She must resign.

Anne Jones (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#549

Emerita Professor of Classical Studies

[Confirming my signature for this petition of FACULTY should include specific affiliation but there was no space for it. Please remove this as a comment and add affiliation as other signers have.]

Betty Rose Nagle (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#551

Associate Professor, Curriculum & Instruction

Alexander Cuenca (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#559

How dare you create such a hostile and brutal environment for my colleagues, students, and children. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Lecturer, Kelley School of Business

Karen Sweeny (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#560

Eskenazi Museum of Art

Elliot Reichert (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#565

Richard S. Melvin Professor of Law Emeritus

Gene Shreve (South Yarmouth, 2024-04-29)

#569

Former Adjunct Professor at the Mauer School of Law

Marguerite Shreve (South Yarmouth, 2024-04-29)

#575

In addition to alarm over the administration’s armed response and the lack of respect for community governance, I’ll point out that this armed response will likely have negative consequences for IUB’s finances. Parents would hesitate to send their children here, impacting tuition revenues. Donors will hesitate from giving if they see a risk of mortal violence and/or are morally outraged.

Noriko Manabe (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#577

Associate Professor, Information and Library Science

Allen Riddell (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#579

Professor Emeritus of History

Michael Grossberg (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#581

A sniper was aimed at unarmed students peacefully assembling. This administration's violent suppression of free speech, disregard for established procedure, and lack of transparency needs to end.

Madeline Webb-Mitchell (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#582

Associate Professor of Public & Environmental Affairs
Indiana University

Matthew Baggetta (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#583

It's the right thing to do! I've watched a university to whose reputation I contributed for 18 years slide into administrative fascism. Enough is enough.

Wayne Storey (East Hampton, CT, 2024-04-29)

#589

Associate Librarian / Co-director, IDAH

Michelle Dalmau (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#590

Associate Librarian

Brian Winterman (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#598

What happened on Dunn Meadow makes the statement on IU's website hypocritical, i.e., "...we strive to achieve full diversity and maintain friendly, collegial, and humane environments..."

Alex Jahn (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)

#600

When it comes to "free speech," this administration picks and chooses the appropriate causes. Free Palestine.

Nada Abdelrahim (Bloomington, 2024-04-29)