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The ad hoc grievance committee was established as a result of the expression of concern by a number of students that they were being intimidated by faculty members and being excluded from participating fully in classroom discussions because of their views. When it became clear that the existing procedures were not adequate to resolve those questions, this ad hoc committee was formed.
The significance of the issues raised by the students’ complaints was emphasized by President Bollinger in his letter to the Columbia community on December 8, 2004:
In the classroom, students as well as faculty share in the inherent right to explore and to speak to the subject under discussion. …Acts of intimidation or discrimination against students or any other members of our community on the basis of ethnicity, gender, political beliefs, race, religion, or for any other reason are antithetical to University policies and principles and are an affront to our community. I am confident that we all agree that such behavior is inconsistent with our values and must not be tolerated under any circumstances.
To assure that these deeply rooted values are protected, I have asked this committee to hear the complaints and grievances of students who choose to speak with it; to evaluate accusations that it considers appropriate for further examination; and to determine the facts surrounding the claims it investigated. Since the determination of the merits of such complaints and grievances is obviously more complicated than simply determining what happened, it may also be necessary for the committee to consider the context within which events occur. I have also asked the committee to take notice of any related complaints that may come to its attention in the course of its consultations.
In the course of the committee’s investigations, it will naturally want to listen not only to those who lodge complains, but to those against whom complaints have been lodged, as well as those deans and faculty members to whom complaints were previously brought, and others who in the committee’s judgment might have relevant information. The committee is asked to pay particular attention to charges of inappropriate faculty behavior in their role as teachers. The committee is specifically not being asked to investigate political or scholarly opinions, curriculum, or departments, but to identify cases where there appear to be violations of the obligation to create a civil and tolerant teaching environment in which opposing views can be expressed.
In the committee’s report to me, the committee will describe in appropriate detail the factual findings on which it has agreed. Any other observations the committee makes are welcomed, although the committee is not asked to offer any judgments on how the University should respond to the findings. However, the committee should recommend any necessary changes in Arts and Sciences grievance procedures, or in the training of chairs, deans, and others charged with receiving student grievances. The Committee will begin its work the first week of classes and hold regular sessions every Monday and Friday until its work is completed, scheduled to be the end of February.
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