In recent weeks, Institute faculty from Israel, the Middle East, and North Africa joined in writing a letter signed by numerous colleagues, calling us to join in their efforts to maintain and strengthen the bonds of friendship and collegiality that cut across political, ethnic, and religious differences. Yet we continue to work together in solving the world’s hardest problems, whether in space, in the core of the atom, or in the places we speak together about what touches us most deeply. MIT is a global community, and for many of us this conflict has direct and personal consequences that cause grave pain. President Kornbluth’s opening remarks during her congressional testimony reflect this approach, and we believe it is well aligned with the statement on expression that we recently adopted as a faculty, as well as with the values and policies that shape our community. Some things are resolved in conversation, while other words and actions are addressed through our disciplinary processes. The approach of MIT’s leadership has not been to make lists of what can’t be said, but to talk directly with our students - both in public and in private - about the meaning and consequences of what they say. But as educators, we seek to open minds rather than to close mouths. Do we fail to respond when that happens? Of course not. One consequence has been that we hear things that can but shouldn’t be said. This fall, we are witnessing a situation of great complexity, at a moment of terrible human suffering in Israel and Gaza. We do so by asking questions, experimenting with methods and testing solutions. The job of our senior administration is to create the space for everyone in the MIT community - from first year students to senior faculty - to tackle those problems in defense of the nation, stewardship of the planet, and service to humanity. MIT is an institution where we tackle hard problems. (Note: A number of former associate chairs and secretaries of the faculty have added their names below as well.) We write as the current faculty officers and recent chairs of the faculty to voice our unreserved and public support for MIT President Sally Kornbluth. To Mark Gorenberg, Chair of the MIT Corporation: Report to MIT Faculty: Meeting with Goodwin Procter Lawyers.MaEmergency Academic Regulations in Effect.MaFollow-up to Emergency Academic Regulations: Additional Guidance re Alternate Grades.Update from the Academic Policy and Regulations Team.
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