"UC Professors Denounce President's Stance on Middle East Conflicts"

A group of approximately 150 professors at the University of California (UC) have written an open letter criticizing UC President Michael Drake's proposal for educational programs that would include a "viewpoint-neutral history of the Middle East." The professors argue that the term undermines the academic integrity of scholars already engaged in the study and teaching of the Middle East. They express concerns about the potential chilling effect on controversial or divisive topics and the principle of faculty shared governance. The faculty also raise concerns about the use of the term "preventative" in Drake's remarks, which they believe echoes policies that constrain and censor critical speech and scholarship. The University of California responded, stating that the proposed programs would be voluntary and not affect classroom curricula.