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Pace University President Issues Apology to Jewish Community
March 27, 2007Comments (2) | Add | E-mail this to a friend
(March 26, 2007) -- Pace University President David A. Caputo issued an apology to Pace Hillel President and student Michael Abdurakhmanov and several other members of Pace's Jewish community. Last semester, the students had expressed concerns that Hillel was coerced and intimidated into not showing the film Obsession.
In a letter to members of the University Community, Caputo wrote: "I want both to assure... [the Jewish students] that no such coercion or intimidation was intended and to apologize for any action that may have unfortunately led to that belief. I also want to apologize for any hurt we may have caused Michael and other members of Hillel in issuing the University Statement on Hillel Charges in January. I am always concerned when a student or group of students feels unfairly treated. It is my understanding that Obsession has now been scheduled for a showing on campus in April."
In a seperate statement, Abdurakhmanov thanked Hillel and other groups that came to the the Jewish students’ assistance. He wrote: “Standing up for your beliefs is a very difficult thing to do, but with the support of loved ones, outside individuals and organizations the battle becomes much easier. When the administration of Pace University tried to silence the local Hillel on campus, student leaders stood up to the challenge. Only several hours after the situation went public the support from across the country came pouring in. What seemed to be a horrible ordeal for any student to go through now became one of the best moments of their lives.”
The university is moving forward to find new ways to accommodate its growing and diverse student population, including the creation of a new approach to interfaith ministries.
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