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Hi all
The attached letter requests that SFU adopt a policy on institutional neutrality, i.e., formalize the administration's commitment to upholding the BC University Act. One consequence of such a policy is that SFU would be explicitly prohibited from considering political issues of the day when making investment decisions. (As a current example, some community members are pushing the university to protest the IDF's role in the Israel/Hamas war by divesting from particular companies -- despite the fact that taking a political stance would be in violation of the Act.)
In addition to the arguments outlined in the letter, I encourage you to read this article, which describes the critical importance of institutional neutrality to the academic mission. Institutional neutrality also prevents the sort of hypocrisy highlighted so clearly during the US Congressional hearings on antisemitism on college campuses.
Please let me know if you wish to add your name.
All the best,
Rachel Altman
Associate Professor
Statistics & Actuarial Science
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby BC Canada
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Attachment:
InstitutionalNeutrality.pdf
Description: InstitutionalNeutrality.pdf