Northwestern University does not issue statements on political or social issues that do not directly impact NU’s core mission, University President Michael Schill said in a message to the community Thursday morning.
Mr. Shir’s message came five days after a surprise attack on Israel by the militant group Hamas, which was pursuing retaliatory attacks on Gaza after Hamas declared war on Sunday. Continued violence on both sides has left at least 2,600 Israelis and Palestinians (mostly civilians) dead and thousands injured.
In a message to the university community, Mr. Schill expressed his personal views on this issue.
“Let me be clear: as individuals in a democracy, we do not waive our right to hold and express our personal political and social views,” he wrote. “We want to make it clear that we do not speak for all of our students, faculty, staff, or trustees, but rather ourselves.”
Mr. Schill emphasized the importance of freedom of expression in higher education, citing the Chicago Principles, which govern free speech on college campuses and published by the University of Chicago in 2014 when Mr. Schill was dean of the University of Chicago Law School. He mentioned his own efforts to promote a series of guidelines.
He also condemned the violence in the area.
“The kidnapping, beheading and murder of children and adults, civilians and military personnel is horribly inhumane, pure and simple,” Sill said in the message. “Regardless of your political beliefs or grievances, this type of behavior is completely unacceptable.”
Despite the decision not to issue a statement on behalf of the university, Mr Schill said: “That’s the view of Mike Schill, a citizen, a Jew, a human being. I didn’t abandon that part of myself when I became president of Northwestern University.”
Mr. Sill expressed his determination to attend. Memorial for lost lives In the Israel-Hamas war, Tuesday night was conducted in a personal capacity, not on behalf of NU.
Mr. Sill called on the community to share concerns, prayers and “hope for a peaceful resolution to the current violence” and to support those directly or indirectly affected by the war.
NU’s Palestine Justice Student Chapter plans to host a vigil Thursday night to promote equality and understanding and express solidarity with Palestine.
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