Fagin to delay harassment code decision

Will wait at least two weeks Interim President Claire Fagin will take at least two more weeks to decide whether or not she will suspend Part II of the University's racial harassment policy. Fagin, who had planned to announce her decision this week, said the campus is too divided on whether to revoke Part II, the so-called "speech code." "This is a very hard issue and right now there is no consensus at all," she said. "It is my decision, but I would like to arrive at something that is not divisive on campus." Fagin said her decision to delay action on suspending or upholding the policy is not related to an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission proposal on workplace harassment. If implemented by the EEOC, the proposal would mandate the so-called "speech code" for University employees. Fagin said her decision will be made independently of that proposal, which would only directly affect employees. "There is a lot of emotion tied up with this issue," she said. "People feel very strongly one way or another...I think that I am taking an awful long time to do this, [but] it's a very complex issue." Fagin said she is not "keeping score" of those for and against keeping Part II, but wants to make a decision which will benefit all members of the University. Part II of the racial harassment code forbids any "verbal or symbolic behavior" that "insults or demeans [a] person...on the basis of his or her race, color, ethnicity, or national origin... by the use of slurs, epithets, hate words, demeaning jokes, or derogatory stereotypes." She said she and Interim Provost Marvin Lazerson will continue meeting with students and faculty members to discuss the issue. Lazerson said last night the difficulty is finding a way to balance free speech and civility. "The basic [dilemma] is how do you create a civil environment and still allow free speech," he said. "This is one of the thorniest issues both the University and this nation faces. We're trying to figure out how you resolve this kind of tension." Lazerson thinks the next two weeks should be a time, not only to debate the issue with the community, but also to reflect. "I think we've reached a point where we've heard about everything we're going to hear from people," he said. "Now, I think it's important for us to have time to digest [everything]." Lazerson said at some time, however, Fagin must make a decision. "You've got to consult widely and then come to an honest judgement," he said. "We do want to let everyone have a voice in it, [but]...at some point, as a leader, you've got to make a decision." Fagin hopes to make a definite decision in two weeks and does not want to postpone the decision again. "Unfortunately, I'm going to have to tell the University Council next week that I have not come to a decision," she said. "Hopefully, we'll have something in two weeks."