New York University professors speak out to defend IYSSE club status and support free speech
By
our reporters
2 March 2017
The Student Activities Board (SAB) announced that it will decide on the club status application of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) and other clubs at New York University (NYU) on Friday, March 3.
Last semester the SAB rejected the IYSSE’s application, falsely claiming that it is too similar to other clubs and that the university does not have enough money to fund all organizations that complete the requirements for club status. In response, the IYSSE launched a campaign to oppose the decision and the anti-democratic club application process, mobilizing hundreds of students to sign petitions or attend IYSSE meetings and rallies.
In recent weeks, a number of professors have written to the university supporting the IYSSE and calling for the democratization of the club application process.
The IYSSE appealed to professors in an email sent last week noting that “last semester 40 of 46 applicants were denied,” and that the club application process is “deeply flawed and anti-democratic, open to decisions based on political bias.” The IYSSE rejected NYU’s claim that the IYSSE’s aims are “too similar to those of other clubs:”
“The IYSSE represents the student movement of the Socialist Equality Party, a distinct political party with a unique history, perspective, and program. To suggest that we join with existing clubs linked to rival political parties, we believe, is an undemocratic attempt to dictate the terms of political discussion and debate at NYU.”
Professor Bertell Ollman of the NYU Department of Politics responded with the following letter to the SAB:
“As an NYU professor, who received a large…