NY’s 21st District Congresswoman, Elise Stefanik, rattles nation’s elite University leaders
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) rattled three of the United State’s elite University leaders this week with her poignant questions, revealing a troubling stance by MIT, Harvard, and UPenn leaders around what constitutes threatening, actionable, hate speech on their respective University campuses.
Citing 1st Amendment free speech as a basis for not unequivocally condemning hate speech and threats of genocide, Stefanik called out the University presidents for their double standard and poor record for being institutions that support free speech in the first place.
Congresswoman Stefanik questioned Harvard President, Dr. Gay, inquiring, “Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules on bullying and harassment?”
President Gay answers and says, “The rules around bullying and harassment are quite specific. And if the context in which that language is used amounts to bullying and harassment then we take, we take action against it.”
President Gay refused to answer the yes or no questions from Stefanik, citing context, and other factors that would go into the decision making process.
UPenn President President Liz Magill and MIT President Dr. Kornbluth struggled to provide a clear answer when Stefanik asked if calls for the genocide of Jews on campus was indeed a violation of the University’s code of conduct. Now the University’s are facing mounting backlash, donor fallout – including a $100MM gift to UPenn and a loss of respect for once leading institutions.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Dr. Kornbluth, at MIT, does calling for the genocide of Jews violate MIT’s code of conduct or rules regarding bullying and harassment? Yes or no?
President Kornbluth (MIT): If targeted at individuals not making public statements.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Yes or no, calling for the genocide of Jews does not constitute bullying and harassment?
President Kornbluth: I have not heard calling for the genocide for Jews on our campus.
Congresswoman Stefanik: But you’ve heard chants for Intifada.
President Kornbluth: I’ve heard chants which can be antisemitic depending on the context when calling for the elimination of the Jewish people.
Congresswoman Stefanik: So those would not be, according to the MIT’s code of conduct or rules.
President Kornbluth: That would be investigated as harassment if pervasive and severe.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Ms. Magill at Penn, does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Penn’s rules or code of conduct? Yes or no?
President Magill (UPenn): If the speech turns into conduct, it can be harassment. Yes.
Congresswoman Stefanik: I am asking, specifically calling for the genocide of Jews, does that constitute bullying or harassment?
President Magill: If it is directed, and severe, pervasive, it is harassment.
Congresswoman Stefanik: So the answer is yes.
President Magill: It is a context dependent decision, Congresswoman.
Congresswoman Stefanik: It’s a context dependent decision. That’s your testimony today, calling for the genocide of Jews is depending upon the context, that is not bullying or harassment. This is the easiest question to answer. Yes, Ms. Magill. So is your testimony that you will not answer yes? Yes or no?
President Magill: If the speech becomes conduct. It can be harassment, yes.
Congresswoman Stefanik: Conduct meaning committing the act of genocide. The speech is not harassment. This is unacceptable. Ms. Magill, I’m gonna give you one more opportunity for the world to see your answer. Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Penn’s Code of Conduct when it comes to bullying and harassment? Yes or no?
President Magill: It can be harassment.
Congresswoman Stefanik: The answer is yes. And Dr. Gay at Harvard? Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules of bullying and harassment? Yes or no?
President Gay (Harvard): It can be depending on the context.
Congresswoman Stefanik: What’s the context?
President Gay: Targeted at an individual targeted, as at an individual?
Congresswoman Stefanik: It’s targeted at Jewish students, Jewish individuals. Do you understand your testimony is dehumanizing them? Do you understand that dehumanization is part of antisemitism? I will ask you one more time. Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules of bullying and harassment? Yes or no?
President Gay: Antisemitic rhetoric when it crosses into conduct, that amounts to bullying, harassment, intimidation, that is actionable conduct, and we do take action.
Congresswoman Stefanik: So the answer is yes. That calling for the genocide of Jews violates Harvard Code of Conduct. Correct?
President Gay: Again, it depends on the context.
Congresswoman Stefanik: It does not depend on the context the answer is yes, and this is why you should resign. These are unacceptable answers across the board.
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