In response to the Steven Salaita Lecture on 10/29/14:

The Chaplains of Hendricks Chapel respect and recognize the importance of academic freedom for professors at all institutions of higher education. Educators must be free to present a full spectrum of ideas in educational environments without fear of unfair or threatening retribution and repercussions. Furthermore, we recognize that hiring, firing, disciplinary proceedings and other human resource practices, affect academic freedom and are complicated procedures that need to be conducted with the utmost integrity.

We also believe in creating a safe environment for students, faculty and staff to learn, grow and engage in healthy dialogue. We stand in opposition of the use of hateful or bullying language by any higher education professional. We believe that such behavior creates an unsafe and exclusionary environment on campus. No student, regardless of religious or political identity, deserves to be judged or labeled negatively by a professor in an academic environment.

The Chaplains of Hendricks Chapel stand united against violence and mourn the loss of life on all sides of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  All human life has value and we are hopeful that the Islamic and Jewish communities will consider moving toward a peaceful coexistence.

In order to contribute positively to the goal of peaceful coexistence, the chaplains are committed to creating a constructive dialogue in a safe and productive academic environment that encourages involvement from a series of diverse participants. We hope the campus community will consider joining us for our first of a slate of future interfaith dialogue programs:

Muslim/Jewish Q&A Dinner: Muslim and Jewish students will discuss pressing political, religious and cultural issues over a shared (Free) halal and kosher meal. The program is designed to assure that all students have the opportunity to listen and learn.  Students of all faiths (or that do not identify with a faith) are welcome.

Location: Alibrandi Catholic Center, 110 Walnut Place

Date: Nov. 12

Time: TBD  

Signed, The Chaplains of Hendricks Chapel

Rev. Jikyo Bonnie Shoultz, Buddhist chaplain; Brian Small, executive director of Hillel at Syracuse University;  Rev. Colleen Hallagan Preuninger, UME chaplain;  Rabbi Daniel Fellman, Hillel campus rabbi; Rev. Gail V. Riina, Lutheran chaplain and STEP Center director;  Jay Koshy, evangelical Christian chaplain; Rev. Jonathan Santago, Southern Baptist chaplain; Fr. Linus DeSantis, Roman Catholic Chaplain; Mary Hudson HPs, pagan Chaplain; Richard Russell, Muslim chaplain; Rev. Dr. Rick Hill, Historically Black Church chaplain

Published on October 30, 2014 at 12:01 am