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

Comments

#1004

I clearly - but respectfully - disagree with some of the core positions held by students and protesters because I believe that real change mostly emerges from engagement and not dis-investment. But I strongly and clearly disagree with bringing in police in riot gear on campus to quash the students' opinions and silence them. It shows serious weakness, not strength. It makes campus less, and not more, safe. It is because I believe in engagement and sharing of ideas that the show of force decided by some is so terribly wrong. Let those who decided to bring an almost military force to deal with students' right to peaceful protest remember the following:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. (Martin Niemöller)

Andrew Ellul (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1014

I'm signing because the President and Provost are breaking university rules while pretending they are upholding them.

Eric Rasmusen (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1016

Whitten has chosen violence over intellect and reason. They chose to psychically attack our IU family. This is a tyrant not a leader of an institution of higher learning who cares for children. They have permanently damaged our very caring IU family community. I am afraid to work here as Whitten could very well have me shot. I am not fooling around. She has terrified me because I KNOW SHE IS INCAPABLE OF RATIONALE THOUGHT. "If you don't do what I say I will kill you", is the message ashe has sent.

Gustave weltsek (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1025

Although I'm opposed to the protests that have been happening on Dunn Meadow since they provide ideological cover for murderous Jew-haters, that is, Hamas, I'm also opposed to the administration's open violation of the First Amendment in their last-minute policy change that was clearly aimed at one particular group and political viewpoint. An injury to one is an injury to all.

Carl Weinberg (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1032

Professor of Sociology and East Asian Languages and Cultures

Ethan Michelson (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1033

President Whitten has turned the protestors into martyrs. If they are left alone, they will expose themselves as bigots and ideologues. Instead, the police action made them sympathetic. This is not to criticize the police who acted responsibly and the description in this petition about them is wrong. But they should not have been called in. In doing so, Whitten violated IU's long history of free speech.

Charles Trzcinka (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1038

I’m signing this because I have deep appreciation for Indiana University.

Jeff Anderson (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1039

I am appalled and disappointed at the actions the administration is taking action peaceful students. Whitten does not belong at IU. She doesn't understand the students, faculty or culture. She needs to resign or be fired.

Jam Hillier (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1043

University leadership should encourage and model reasoned dialogue and non-reactionary response to complex, painful situations. The opposite is occurring.

Dan Grundmann (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1045

The IU Administration's unconstitutional and dangerous response to peaceful student protesters harmed our students and stained the reputation of Indiana University.

Jeff Stake (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1055

President Whitten has been an unmitigated disaster from IUB since her arrival.

Robert Arnove (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1057

Distinguished Professor Emeritus; Provost Professor of Physics Emeritus

Steven Gottlieb (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1059

Assistant Clinical Professor
Psychological and Brain Sciences

Spencer Dawson (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1060

Professor and Chair, Department of Mathematics

Chris Connell (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1063

Calling out the police to violently shut down a nonviolent protest has severed the fundamental trust this community has with its students, staff, and faculty. I do not see a way forward for IU if the President and Provost remain.

Martha Oakley (Bloomington, 2024-04-30)

#1079

While I acknowledge the complexities of this situation, I'm signing because President Whitten and Provost Shrivastav have not produced evidence that a militarized response was necessary.

Heather Reynolds (BLOOMINGTON, 2024-05-01)

#1096

President Whitten's claims to support free speech and the exchange of ideas are just an effort to save face and clearly a lie. The decisions made to enact force and instill fear on peaceful protesters, including friends and colleagues is deplorable. Whitten's claims are to support and protect, however, the only violence seen and experienced has been at the hands of police. Whitten and Shrivastav need to resign now.

Deborah Reichmann (Bloomington, 2024-05-01)

#1100

I share my colleagues outrage at the hostile decisions of the President and Provost. They seem more intent on playing to MAGA Republican electoral politics than standing strong for what has made Indiana University a great university.

Gerakd Wright (Bloomington, 2024-05-01)

#1105

We ask and teach our students to care, pay attention, get involved, and when they do, this is the response? This is not the IU we cherish, this is not the IU we built, nor our institutional history or culture. A show of force has no place on the grounds of our institution, when aimed at our students, faculty and staff for exercising their rights.

Emma Dederick (Bloomington, 2024-05-01)

#1110

I am outrages at the underhanded behavior of the president and provost of Indiana University. These people are destroying the reputation of the university I taught in for so long and which I love very much. WE DESERVE BETTER!

John Johnson (Bloomington, 2024-05-01)

#1117

I agree with this petition.

Murray Sperber (Concord, 2024-05-01)

#1118

Associate Professor of Anthropology & Human Biology
Director of Human Biology Program

Michael Wasserman (Bloomington, 2024-05-01)

#1122

Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

Leila Reichert (Bloomington, 2024-05-01)

#1123

The actions of this administration put lives at risk. Sending in the state police immediately was inviting a re-run of Kent State in 1970.

John Londergan (Bloomington, 2024-05-01)

#1137

I am appalled by the use of State Police against peaceful protesters on Dunn Meadow. The image of deployed snipers on the surrounding roof tops of IU was a shock. I am ashamed to be associated with the leadership of Indiana University.

Emma Gilligan (Bloomington, 2024-05-02)

#1141

The job of the university president and provost to preserve academic freedom and the preserve the safety of faculty and students. The actions of the last week condoned and organized by this administration are a direct assault on free speech that could only be accomplished by what legal scholars call an unconstitutional repeal of 50 year old policy. The dreadful militarization of our campus in support of this end has made all of us in the Indiana University community feel unsafe and scared. It is time to end this assault on academic freedom and the safety of our campus through the resignation or termination of the President and Provost.

Russ Skiba, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology

Russ Skiba (Bloomington, 2024-05-02)