This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The University of Michigan’s Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs sent a letter to the Faculty Senate Friday morning criticizing the dismissal of Rachel Dawson, former executive director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, and urging the University to protect the academic freedom of its staff.
Dawson was dismissed on Dec. 10 following a complaint filed by the Anti-Defamation League of Michigan which claimed she made antisemitic comments in a private conversation at a conference in March. According to The New York Times, the complaint alleged that Dawson said the University was “controlled by wealthy Jews” and that Jewish students are “wealthy and privileged.”
In the letter, SACUA wrote that Dawson denies making such statements, and a University investigation found that it was “not possible to determine with certainty whether Ms. Dawson made the exact remarks.”
“We reject the noxious antisemitism that underlies this alleged comment,” the letter read. “Ms. Dawson denies that she uttered this or other objectionable things, either at the conference in question or at any other time.”
After the investigation was completed and Dawson was initially reprimanded, University Regent Mark Bernstein wrote to University President Santa Ono in an email obtained by The New York Times stating that Dawson should be “terminated immediately,” and she was fired shortly after.
“These facts lead us to question whether University personnel can expect the regular processes of investigation and discipline to carry weight in the face of the opinions of individual Regents,” SACUA’s letter read.
SACUA also wrote that they believe Dawson’s dismissal reflects a limitation on the ability of University faculty to publish material on contested issues out of fear of retaliation from the University’s Board of Regents.
“With Ms. Dawson’s example before us, it will be unreasonable for any of us to publish opinions that powerful figures in public life will object to,” the letter read. “Our curriculum, our teaching, and our research will be more disengaged from the most controversial and most essential questions of our times.”
SACUA urged the University to restore Dawson to her position and to better protect staff members by following the ordinary process in dealing with staff disciplinary affairs.
“We need safeguards against the removal of members of this University by regental fiat, particularly in these politically charged times,” the letter read.
Daily Staff Reporter Sarah Spencer can be reached at sarahsp@umich.edu.
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