Obsession to be Screened at Pace!

Victory on campus! David Caputo, the embattled president of Pace University has just issued a public apology to Pace Hillel President Michael Abdurakhmanov and Pace’s Jewish community. He apologized for the intimidating tactics utilized by the administration to censor the film Obsession, the story originally uncovered here on Democracy Project. He also acknowledged that Obsession will be shown at Pace in April. This is a genuine triumph over adversity in a hostile atmosphere. I applaud Michael for his courage to stand up for freedom of expression and conscience on campus. Here is President Caputo’s letter of apology:

March 26, 2007
To: Members of the University Community
From: David A. Caputo, President
Re: Tolerance and Understanding at Pace

We all are aware of the series of hate/bias-related incidents directed against members of our community that have beset us in recent months. You have joined me in condemning these cowardly and unacceptable acts and in expressing the belief that perpetrators of such acts are not welcome in the Pace community. As I have said before, despite those who would challenge us, we remain a University community that values its diversity of thought and culture. I remain fully committed to preserving an atmosphere at Pace in which a free exchange of ideas may flourish.

You also should be aware that the New York City Police made an arrest arising from one hate crime that was directed against African-Americans, as we reported earlier. We continue to work with area police departments to actively investigate the other incidents and to prevent any recurrence of these acts.
At the same time, we continue to look for ways to heighten the awareness and understanding of our various cultures by all members of the University community. A number of initiatives are underway or being considered:

·The “Not on My Watch” campaign has engaged many members of the University community in a variety of programs aimed at fostering conversations about diversity, tolerance, and understanding. Programs have included community meetings, a teach-in, training for members of the staffs in security and student affairs, and discussions with groups including President’s Council, Executive Council and the Student Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees.
·We soon will announce a training program for all administrators, faculty, and staff.
·With growing numbers of students from diverse religious backgrounds on our campuses, I am reviewing a series of recommendations from a University task force looking at possible new structures in the area of interfaith campus ministry. I should have an announcement on this shortly.
·Faculty members from the ACE international initiatives group are considering repurposing extracurricular campus events that are linked to the first-year student seminar UNV101.

You also may be aware that Pace Hillel President and student Michael Abdurakhmanov and several other members of Pace’s Jewish community have expressed concerns about their belief that Hillel was coerced and intimidated into not showing the film Obsession last semester. I want both to assure them that no such coercion or intimidation was intended and to apologize for any action that may have unfortunately led to that belief. I also want to apologize for any hurt we may have caused Michael and other members of Hillel in issuing the University Statement on Hillel Charges in January. I am always concerned when a student or group of students feels unfairly treated. It is my understanding that Obsession has now been scheduled for a showing on campus in April.

These initiatives are designed to help ensure that Pace’s diversity continues to be appreciated as one of our greatest strengths and our community continues to be a welcoming and understanding place for all, regardless of cultural background, race, religion, ethnicity and gender orientation. I believe that our policies and procedures on conduct (including those relating to hate/bias-related incidents) foster an atmosphere where we all can grow and benefit from the free exchange of ideas, even if it is uncomfortable for some, and conversely provide a mechanism to address conduct that violates those principles.

Please commit with me to doing all we can to strengthen this important value that has been a bedrock of the Pace experience for more than 100 years.

Thank you.