UCI chancellor had addressed anti-Semitism

UC Irvine Chancellor Michael Drake declined comment Friday on a pending investigation into anti-Semitism on campus, but he made his feelings known on the matter nearly a year ago when he urged students and faculty to respect their differences.

The Hillel Foundation of Orange County, a nonprofit that sponsors Jewish students at several campuses, announced this week that it would send a task force to UCI to investigate possible incidents of anti-Semitism within the next few weeks.

Spokeswoman Susan Menning said the chancellor was not available to discuss the issue due to an ongoing investigation by the U.S. Office for Civil Rights. The government began probing UCI in 2005 after the Zionist Organization of America filed a complaint.

Last May, Drake sent an e-mail message to the UCI community with the aim of relieving tensions. He sent the message during a weeklong program by the Muslim Student Union titled “Holocaust in the Holy Land,” which drew protests from Jewish students.

“The First Amendment provides great latitude regarding our freedom of expression,” Drake’s letter read in part. “The University has a legal obligation to assure the free exchange of ideas, however infuriating we may perceive particular views with which we disagree. It is often offensive or inflammatory speech that requires Constitutionally-mandated protection.

“I ask that you join me in ensuring that we remain a dynamic, respectful campus community that upholds these core values and where free speech, individual rights and safety are honored and respected.”

Menning said the chancellor sent the letter in response to a number of recent hostilities between Muslim and Jewish student groups, although the letter does not cite them specifically. In February of 2006, Muslims had denounced the showing on campus of controversial Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

“The concept of anti-Semitism or any type of racism is abhorrent to the chancellor, and we welcome any information that would help UCI be a hospitable place for anyone and everyone,” Menning said about the proposed task force.