Moral clarity from Scalia Dean Ken Randall, and lack thereof from NYU Dean Troy McKenzie.
Some other time, I will express my views on when and if university administrators should express opinions about the issues of the day. For now, it’s sufficient to note that they do all the time, and in that context should be judged by what they say, when they say it, and how they say it.
Here is Dean Ken Randall, Scalia Law (my law school) in an email I received this morning:
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Over the past few days, we have watched images of deadly acts of terrorism against Israel. Whether you have friends and family in the region, or your concerns are centered on your classmates and colleagues here at home, please know that my thoughts are with you. Terrorism has no place in our society, and we stand with the Israeli people. Especially in this season when we observe important Jewish holidays, I know that you will offer support to those in our community who are in need during this difficult time.
By contrast here is NYU Dean Troy McKenzie, in response to an official missive sent to law students by the president of the Student Bar Association, defending the massacre:
Dear Members of the NYU Law Community:
Some of you may have seen a message from the president of the Student Bar Association regarding the horrific conflict in Israel and Gaza. This message was not from NYU School of Law as an institution and does not speak for the leadership of the Law School. It certainly does not express my own views, because I condemn the killing of civilians and acts of terrorism as always reprehensible.
Read full article
https://reason.com/volokh/2023/10/10/two-law-school-deans-on-the-massacre-in-israel/
