Posted on 04/28/2006 11:31:08 AM PDT by JSedreporter
A week ago, Penn State University canceled a student’s art exhibit because of who was sponsoring it.
According to the Penn State Collegian, Josh Stulman’s art exhibit Portraits of Terror which was being sponsored by Penn State Hillel, a Jewish student group, was cancelled by Charles Garoian, the Director of Visual Arts. Stulman is a senior in painting and anthropology and is himself Jewish.
Garoian sent Stulman an email three days before the exhibit was going to be displayed, saying his work “did not promote cultural diversity,” according to the Collegian.
The email also said the decision was made after reviewing Penn State’s Policy AD42: Statement on Nondiscrimination and Harassment and the Zero Tolerance Policy for Hate, the Collegian reported.
Back in February, the Alliance Defense Fund filed suit against Penn State University for these harassment and tolerance policies which they contend are vague and overbroad speech codes that unnecessarily restrict free speech.
According to the Collegian, Penn State spokesman Bill Mahon said the reason the exhibit was cancelled was Hillel’s sponsorship. The Collegian also said that Stulman had previously exhibited Hodgepodge: Prints, Drawings and Sketches, with the sponsorship of Hillel.
Several days after the decision to cancel Stulman’s exhibit about Mid-East conflict was made, Penn State President Graham Spanier announced that Stulman could display the artwork this semester or next fall, according to the Collegian.
Stulman and University Relations director Steve MacCarthy agreed to display the exhibit fully with the sponsorship of Hillel next fall semester, but Hillel and Stulman are demanding an apology, reported the Collegian.
Hillel sent a letter to university administration this week asking for a formal and public apology, a process to protect underrepresented opinions from silencing, sensitivity training for the School of Visual Arts and an investigation into the actions of the School of Visual Arts the Collegian said.
The Collegian also reported that Tuvia Abramson, Hillel’s executive director, has asked for Penn State to provide resolution immediately because the semester ends in a week.
Julia A. Seymour is a staff writer for Accuracy in Academia.
Where do they find these brain-dead university bureaucrats? Regardless of their goofy personal views, it ought to be patently obvious to them that an action like this will land them on the wrong side of an open-and-shut lawsuit.
How about some accuracy in reporting?
Nowhere does it describe the work of art that is suppose to offend so many people and "not promote diversity".
Hey turkeys....what is it that your so upset about? Or is the reason for the article to name drop all the liberal leftist cabals that have risen up to complain?
There are a few ecellent law review articles on this issue. The student should read and pursue what they conclude.
How about some reading lessons?
"Accuracy in Academia"
"cancelled"
"canceled"
pick a side!
From http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2006/04/04-21-06tdc/04-21-06dnews-13.asp
PHOTO: Daniel Freel
Josh Stulman examines his artwork, previously scheduled for an art exhibit that was canceled by Penn State. The painting to the right, by Stulman, is titled “Ramallah.” and depicts Hag Amin Al-Husseini, who was hailed as the greatest Palestinian hero by Yasir Arafat. Other works by Stulman address terrorism toward Jews.
By this logic, nothing supports cultural diversity unless it simultaneously promotes two or more cultures. You couldn't celebrate cinqo de mayo or St. Patricks day alone - you'd have to have Santo Patrico de Mayo instead.
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