To the Daily:
In his letter to the editor last week (Double standard apparent in criticism of Ahmadinejad, 09/28/2007), Andrew Goodman-Bacon mischaracterized the work of Campus Watch and its founder Daniel Pipes. Contrary to his claim, neither Pipes nor Campus Watch “violates academic freedom by encouraging students to report professors who are not pro-Israel enough.” Campus Watch employs experts in the field to review and critique Middle East studies in North America with the purpose of improving them. This includes shedding light on professors who use the classroom to push inaccurate and politicized views on the Middle East. We believe that academia, like any other profession, should not be above accountability.
That Campus Watch’s investigative work is occasionally inspired by information provided by students does not in any way violate academic freedom. Students who feel themselves silenced or intimidated by biased professors have every right to try to publicize the matter. Academic freedom is a two-way street.
Cinnamon Stillwell
The letter writer is a northern California representative for Campus Watch.