The Boulder Campus Staff Council January 13, 2021 meeting yielded a robust discussion of the diverse views of our community as brought forth by our representative body. The Resolution was voted on, and approved by, the majority of the Council.
BCSC Resolution in Response to Visiting Scholar John Eastman’s Participation in Washington, D.C. Rally
BCSC-R-2021-01
- Whereas the Colorado Creed states all members of the CU Boulder community agree to act with honor, integrity and accountability in their interactions with students, faculty, staff and neighbors; respect the rights of others and accept our differences; and contribute to the greater good of this community 1;
- Whereas the Boulder Campus Staff Council expects all members of the CU Boulder community to act with honor, integrity, and respect in accordance with the Colorado Creed;
- Whereas Professor John Eastman, 2020-2021 Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy at the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization, “continues to make baseless and unfounded statements regarding the 2020 United States presidential election” 2;
- Whereas Prof. Eastman made these statements at a political rally in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 immediately preceding the assault on the U.S. Capitol, which has led to at least five deaths, while the Congress was fulfilling its constitutionally mandated duty to certify the presidential election results;
- Whereas CU Regent Policy 1.D.3(D)(2) Freedom of Expression by University of Colorado Faculty states “university faculty speak or write as citizens, not in furtherance of their university duties or in the course and scope of their university employment, on matters of political, academic, artistic, or social concern, the university shall not censor their expression, initiate disciplinary action against them, or otherwise subject the faculty members to adverse employment actions because it disapproves of the substance of their expression” 3 and prohibits CU Boulder leadership from rescinding Prof. Eastman’s visiting scholar appointment; and
- Whereas “Professor Eastman has contributed nothing of value to support the ideals of either the Benson Center or CU Boulder” and his contract with CU Boulder doesn’t expire until May 2021 4; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Boulder Campus Staff Council (BCSC):
- supports the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the ability for all members of the CU Boulder campus community to freely express constitutionally protected speech;
- believes Prof. Eastman has failed in his responsibility to act in accordance with the Colorado Creed and does not reflect the values or beliefs of the CU Boulder community;
- believes Prof. Eastman has caused significant harm to the reputation of the University of Colorado;
- condemns Prof. Eastman’s continued use of baseless and unfounded statements regarding the 2020 United States presidential election;
- condemns the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021; and
- urges the CU Boulder colleges, schools, institutes, programs, and departments to work with the IDEA Council to identify ways to continuously improve the recruitment and selection of visiting scholars who bring intellectual diversity and contribute value to campus while acting in accordance with the Colorado Creed.
Submitted by BCSC Co-Chairs: January 12, 2021
Approved by BCSC Full Council: January 13, 2021
Footnotes:
- CU Boulder Creed
- Statement on visiting professor John Eastman and Washington rally
- Policy 1: University of Colorado Self-Governance, Guiding Principles and Freedom of Expression
- From the Chancellor - Upholding our values and democracy
