Harvard dean apologizes for critical stance on cartoon

After his criticism of a student publication led to its editor's resignation in November, Harvard Business School Dean Kim Clark issued a letter of apology earlier this month expressing his regret and his commitment to free speech. On Oct. 28, 2002, The Harbus, a weekly student newspaper at Harvard, published an editorial cartoon entitled "Pre-Hell Week Horror Story." The cartoon targeted the school's Career Services office for a computer glitch that caused students further stress and frustration during a critical period for corporate job searches. The cartoon featured a computer screen swamped with pop-up "error messages," commenting on the inefficiency of the Career Services Web site. One specific message referred to Career Services as "Incompetent Morons" and led the business school administration to react harshly to the cartoon. Clark and other administrators met with Harbus editor-in-chief Nick Will on Nov. 4. Will was issued what he interpreted as a verbal warning that he would face disciplinary action for violation of Harvard's "community standards" code, he said in a Harbus interview. Two days later, Will resigned as editor-in-chief. Following the incident, Foundation for Individual Rights in Education co-directors Alan Kors, a Penn history professor, and Harvey Silverglate criticized Clark for his actions in a letter that received national attention on Nov. 19. In their letter of protest, Kors and Silverglate accused Clark of turning Harvard's "community standards" into the "Harvard Sedition Act." Clark's response explained his attempts to "publicly reaffirm" his commitment to free speech through open forums with students and meetings with faculty, staff and alumni. "I have expressed my own regret that recent events may have caused anyone to doubt the depth of our commitment," he wrote. Clark "confirmed that there has been no censorship of our student newspaper since its founding 65 years ago, nor will there be," said David Lampe, executive director of marketing and communications at Harvard Business School. "The dean also met directly with the staff of the newspaper late last fall to discuss the issues and to ensure a productive relationship with The Harbus as the community moves forward," Lampe added. Kors said that although he is pleased that an apology was issued, the situation is still problematic and raises important questions. "First, on the positive side, it is always rare and welcome when a high administrator admits error in matters that pertain to student freedom," Kors said. "I most appreciated his statement that 'we have learned from our recent experience, strengthened our commitment to free discourse and underscored its importance in preserving the vitality of our community.'" "On the other hand, the letter states that he regrets causing anyone to doubt the administration's commitment to free speech, when administrators and himself overtly threatened free speech," Kors said. "I think his administration should issue a formal statement of regret to the Harvard Business School community for their actions." In his introductory editorial, Allen Narcisse, the new editor-in-chief of The Harbus, assured the student community that the paper would remain the independent student voice of Harvard Business School. "Based on conversations I've had, I believe it's an idea that the administration and the new editorial staff will work together to revere and maintain," Narcisse wrote.