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University of California professors push back on president s call for viewpoint-neutral history of Middle East | CNN

By Thomas A. Smith
CNN    

A group of University of California professors signed a public letter pushing back on the UC president s efforts to develop what he described earlier this month as a viewpoint-neutral history of the Middle East, saying it violates their academic freedom.

We find your use of the term viewpoint-neutral history to be wrong in this context and call upon you to rescind it, the letter, signed by about 150 UC professors, states.

The letter stems from remarks by University of California President Michael V. Drake to the UC Board of Regents two weeks ago about Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 and Israel s ensuing military campaign in Gaza. Drake announced several initiatives to address the community s concerns, including $7 million of added funding.

According to his remarks, $2 million will be used to develop educational programs at each UC campus & focused on better understanding anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, how to recognize and combat extremism, and a viewpoint-neutral history of the Middle East.

Another $2 million will be devoted to training leadership, staff and faculty, Drake said. The goal is to ensure that UC leaders and educators are equipped with the knowledge they need to respond when issues arise and that our university policies are supportive, preventative, and viewpoint-neutral, he said.

via www.cnn.com

Dumb idea IMHO.