City Newspaper Archives - 2/2008

GANDHI: The UR missed an opportunity

Published on Feb 12, 2008
The tragedy of Arun Gandhi's resignation lies within what it reveals: the University of Rochester leadership can act with hypocrisy and ignorance. Did the University welcome the world-stage Gandhi Institute only for its resume? Since the October 2007 opening, has University leadership studied its treasure? Does the University intend to promote the MK Gandhi mission? With what action? With what effort?

If it had seized its international attention, the University would have had an opportunity to match the courage of other major American universities when they have hosted controversial world leaders. It had an opportunity to model the ideals of the Gandhi Institute: hosting conversations, debates, mini-courses, seminars, independent studies. It had an opportunity to lead our world community toward its potential for peace.

University President Joel Seligman said, "Among the University of Rochester's values are a commitment to promoting diversity and being a welcoming and inclusive community." By then censuring, distancing, and finally letting go Arun Gandhi, the University, ironically, abdicated its responsibility to its most valued identity: a democratic University forum.

MK ROSENCRANTS, ROCHESTER