University of Wisconsin Law School senior faculty members and UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley issued separate statements Friday surrounding the recent controversy involving law professor Leonard Kaplan and student accusations of racist comments toward Hmong people during his Legal Process course Feb. 15.
""We believe in our Hmong students and trust their sincerity and integrity,"" the faculty statement said. ""We also know our faculty colleague well and trust in his integrity and good intentions. ""As senior members of the faculty, we are deeply saddened by the reputational damage done both to our students and to a respected member of our faculty.""
Wiley stressed the necessity for personal engagement between the involved parties.
The highly publicized concerns of free speech that have circulated through the Internet and radio, according to Wiley, have deterred the university from resolving the issue.
""The law school continues to explore ways to bring Kaplan and the students together to achieve some closure,"" Wiley said in his statement. ""I support that idea, as well as the need to move ahead in a constructive manner.""
The senior faculty members called for open discussion of the issue in an effort to continue the tradition of free expression, academic freedom and rights of professors in university classrooms.
The faculty statement said: ""We call on our community—faculty and students—to reaffirm our common commitment to create and ensure a classroom environment that allows the free and frank exploration of ideas while preserving sensitivity to the effect our words have on others, awareness of the multiple understandings of the same events by diverse people, and the need to resolve misunderstandings with attention to the unintended effects of our actions.""
Wiley said he agrees open discussion is best for the university, students and society's welfare.
""In a society where aspects of race and ethnicity are often misunderstood, we will not chill the honest discussion of these often-volatile issues, and others,"" Wiley said. ""It should be noted, however, that to gain the most benefit from these challenging discussions requires preparation and open attitudes from everyone.""
Wiley maintained that promoting campus diversity strengthens the university.
""The Hmong represent a vital, valued and growing presence here,"" he said. ""Our Hmong students are a valued part of our community and their presence here enriches us all.""
