The current President of MIT sent out a letter to students, faculty, staff and alumni/ae. She makes four points which are interesting. She notes:
1. Benchmarking and improving student disciplinary processes
MIT’s long-established student disciplinary processes were designed to be fair, proportionate and confidential. Those qualities are vital. However, recent events have spurred some frustration in the community with respect to the timeliness, accountability and transparency of our disciplinary system.
This is truly a problem of culture. If a speaker is invited to discuss some topic, perhaps opposing the views of some clan established at the Institute, it should be allowed to occur unencumbered unless it incites actions which are material threats to others. It is simple, you do not and cannot shout down speakers. It worked in Germany in the 30s but should not be tolerated at MIT today. The cause is simple, MIT has deliberately changed its culture via its student body and has selected students, and in turn some faculty, who are fundamentally attached to this type of behavior. Proper behavior is like pornography, you know it when you see it. Shouting in someone's face, blocking access to classes or lecture halls, clear threats of violence, well not too hard. Solution, simple, expulsion or termination.
2. A shared understanding of the rights and responsibilities of free expression
In response to a speech controversy in 2021, the faculty approved the MIT Statement on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom in late 2022 as the foundation for a strong campus culture of free expression. In its first year, the statement has been tested publicly several times: last spring with a provocative postering campaign, and in multiple moments this fall.
MIT created this problem by its deliberate change of culture. One should try to examine the student body and what was the basis for admission of the culprits opposing free speech. In the old days, students were just too busy with studies to assemble and oppress others. I was a student and faculty member during the Viet Nam War period. Harvard had protests. MIT had virtually none. Yes we had bomb threats, yes we had SDS attacks, but on a day to day basis it was calm. After all, anyone one of us could be drafted in a femto second!
3. Making sure our DEI programs effectively meet campus needs
We will soon announce a new Vice President for Equity and Inclusion (VPEI). With this new role, we have an important opportunity to reflect on and comprehensively assess the structures and programs intended to support our community and create a welcoming environment.
This is the core problem. MIT was based on excellence. Diversity works in environments wherein commonality of performance is the norm. A factory, Government positions, and the like. In a place like MIT, which is highly selective, the choice of people must be blind to anything but thier performance and moral character. That should be the only factors. The DEI cadre has expanded to hundreds of highly paid individuals overseeing the Institute. The needs of the campus are varied. It needs competent facility mangement, lab safety, and of course students and faculty. In the latter two one seeks excellence.
4. Targeted questions in our campus climate survey
To be effective in fighting antisemitism, Islamophobia and hatred based on national origin or ethnicity on campus, we need a clear understanding of the nature and extent of the problem.
This is an interesting point. Namely a survey to understand the attitudes of students and perforce faculty. MIT has always been a multicultural community. I had students from China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Israel, various European countries, and I was actively participating in the MITES program seeking minority students to bring into the MIT student body. Many of the MITES students I have remained in touch with for over forty years. All have been quite successful. But the question is; what has MIT done in its selection process of students and faculty to actually CREATE this environment?
In my opinion, the point addressed are germane but one suspects that the results will perforce of the people be just a reinforcement of the culture leading to this collapse. Pity!
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