University refuses to fund 'unbalanced' conference
By The Associated Press
10.17.02
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NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — For the first time in 15 years, an upstate university has denied funding for a popular women's studies conference, deeming the conference too unbalanced in its portrayal of the Middle East.
Some students and professors at the State University of New York at New Paltz have criticized the decision, saying the program should not be overlooked because of a controversial topic.
The women's studies department requested $4,000 for the Oct. 19 conference "Women and War, Peace and Revolution." The keynote panel would receive $1,500 and an evening performance by a comedian would receive $2,500 in state funding.
Gerald Benjamin, dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recommended to Provost David Lavallee, who officially decides who receives funding, that the conference be denied because it was not balanced enough. A speaker is scheduled to talk about human rights abuses of Palestinians, while no one is scheduled to speak on behalf of Israel. Conference critics fear the conference will lead to Israel-bashing.
"I think that there is a lot of tension right now about the Middle East," said Amy Kesselman, a women's studies professor who helped plan the conference. "But it's possible we're being more scrutinized since 1997."
In 1997, the women's studies conference, "Revolting Behavior: The Challenges of Women's Sexual Freedom," included workshops that discussed sadomasochism and sex toys, which brought then-President Roger Bowen under heavy criticism by some SUNY top officials.
"At a time when war seems so imminent, descending opinions should not be quieted, especially at an academic institution," said Nicole Brodie, a political science major who is planning to attend the conference. She said she was disappointed it did not get funding.
The opening panel includes Ruchama Marton, an Israeli psychiatrist who is to present a feminist perspective on peace negotiations between Palestine and Israel. She is also to speak about human rights abuses of Palestinians. The other speakers are: Amy Goodman, from Pacifica Radio, who will discuss effects of war on women worldwide, and Nadia Hijab, a Jordanian/British author, who will talk about human rights and international law in regard to the Middle East.
In Benjamin's recommendation to Lavallee, he wrote that paying for the conference was not the best use of funds nor "in the best interest of the University."
Emily Cowen, president of Hillel, a Jewish campus group, agreed and said, "People won't be aware of the fact that they aren't getting both sides," unless both sides are actually present. "It's unfortunate that (the request) was denied, but it may have been for the better."
"There was no effort to keep (the conference) from being held," Benjamin told the Associated Press, adding that it was just not financially supported.
"They are not preventing us, but they don't think it's a good academic conference," Kesselman said.
Benjamin, Lavallee and the university's interim president, Steven Poskanzer, met with Kesselman and other planners to discuss the denial of funding.
Shelly Wright, New Paltz spokeswoman, pointed out that there was limited funding for programs. Fifteen event proposals were funded and five denied. Wright also said the evening performance by a New York City comedian called "Reno," who deals with Sept. 11 through humor, was denied because the foundation does not usually fund entertainment.
"The administration had the power and resources to support the upcoming conference, but instead chose to undermine it," said Harold Jacobs, head of the sociology department. He wrote a letter on behalf of the department requesting that the administration reconsider its decision. "We seek to prevent the administration from using the fallacious argument of 'balance' as a reason to withhold funding for future campus events."
Women's studies department officials say they have raised enough money from the community and alumnae to continue their conference as planned.
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