University of Illinois faculty petition for tougher stance against 'racial hostility'

News Gazette reports:

With tensions rising over a "free speech vs. hate speech" debate on college campuses, several academic units are pressing University of Illinois administrators to take a stronger stance against words and actions they say threaten students.

Chancellor Robert Jones sent out a mass email two weeks ago responding to concerns about Chief-related "Unofficial St. Patrick's Day" T-shirts, harassment of Muslim students, anti-immigrant messages on the Quad and the defacing of an Israeli flag at a protest. He urged the campus to challenge hateful rhetoric with "speech that builds connections and shared understanding."

But five ethnic studies departments said the statement didn't go far enough to denounce the behaviors.

Faculty from African American Studies, American Indian studies, Asian American Studies, Gender and Women's Studies, and Latina/Latino Studies presented Jones with a petition Monday on "Racism and 'Free Speech.'"

It said his email was "insufficient at best" and condoned a "climate of racial hostility and demonization" in which Muslims, immigrants and undocumented students feel threatened, noting a rise in intimidation and violence nationwide, including attacks on Jewish cemeteries and mosques.

The struggle against free speech on campus.