From: "Jane K. Fernandes"

Date: Thu Jan 31, 2002 10:32:50 PM US/Eastern

To: "Jane Fernandes"

Subject: 2001 Tower Clock Committee

Greetings! �

As you know, when the 2001 Tower Clock began to be distributed, a number of complaints were expressed about some of its contents.� Students, parents and alumni expressed serious concerns about the yearbook.� Upon review, the University administration determined that further distribution would be temporarily suspended until a thorough review could be completed.� � I have established a committee of students, faculty and staff to make recommendations to me regarding the 2001 Tower Clock yearbook, as well as procedures to be taken for the production of future yearbooks.� The members of the committee are as follows: �

Chair

Ms. Jerri Lyn Klimkiewicz, staff �

Graduate Student

Ms. Dana Berkowitz �

Undergraduate Students

Ms. Jennifer Dignan

Mr. Jason Gunderson

Mr. Karlin Hummel

Mr. Eric Kaika

Ms. Erin Land �

Faculty

Dr. Melani Bleck�

Dr. Fred Mangrubang

Ms. Helen Thumann �

Staff Ms. Patricia Kunkle��������������

Ms. Eileen Matthews������

Mr. Robert Weinstock����� �

Technical Assistance Mr. Carl Pramuk, Dean, Student Affairs �

Staff Support

Ms. Judy Berglund

Ms. Sharon Hauptman���������� �

The committee will review the entire process used to produce the 2001 yearbook.� The committee will investigate the role of the Tower Clock advisory board and how the members served in that capacity.� In addition, the committee will find out whether appropriate permission was given by students to the 2001 Tower Clock staff to print photos and text that the students themselves found personally offensive. � In addition to the issues specific to the current Tower Clock, the committee will make recommendations for any procedures to be put into place for future yearbooks.� I expect the committee will have to wrestle with the purpose and production of a university yearbook in relation to issues such as free speech, censorship, the differences between public and private institutions, and other important matters.� After reviewing the 2001 Tower Clock and issues related to future issues, the committee will provide me with a list of recommendations for: � �

1.��� The disposition of the remaining 2001 Tower Clock volumes and resolution of issues resulting from that decision.

2.��� The role of the editor and the advisory board.

3.��� Recommended policies and procedures to guide production of future yearbooks.

4.��� Other recommendations the committee may see fit to make. �

My interference with a student publication is a very serious matter especially in light of the University's commitment to academic freedom and respect for a variety of viewpoints on any given topic.� The term academic freedom, which Webster's New World Dictionary (1984) defines as "freedom of a teacher or student to hold and express views without fear of arbitrary interference by officials" has its roots in Plato's Academy, the ancient Greek institution of higher learning which is the foundation of the modern college and university.� In one of Plato's dialogues, Gorgias, Socrates examines the nature of academic freedom.� The title character, Gorgias of Leontini, was a public speaker known for his ability to "wow" an audience.� His goal was to convince the audience to accept his views, regardless of whether they were true or right or in their own best interest.� To Gorgias, freedom meant the ability to do whatever you feel like doing, even at the expense of other people's freedom.� To Socrates and Plato, that was a definition of unlimited license, not freedom.� Academic freedom is incompatible with the license to harm others, deprive them of their rights, or deny their freedom.� � When I reviewed the questionable material in the 2001 Tower Clock and heard how some members of the student body and the greater campus community were hurt by it, I questioned whether the decision to print it resulted in the denial of some students' rights and freedom.� In my role as Provost of the University,�I believe that I have a moral obligation to purposefully interfere with this activity that has caused harm to some students and denied their freedom.� In so doing, my purpose is to defend academic freedom in its highest form for all students.� I recognize that further review of this issue is needed by the campus community and have established the 2001 Tower Clock committee to thoroughly investigate the entire matter. � I am grateful to the members of the 2001 Tower Clock committee for accepting the task ahead of them.� Upon completion of their work, I will review their recommendations, make decisions based upon their input, and share findings with the campus community.�� Since the further distribution of the 2001 yearbook is at the forefront of many people's minds, the committee will address this issue immediately.� They will consider the remaining matters over the course of the current semester. �

Sincerely, � �

Jane K. Fernandes Provost � � �