THOMAS

Views vary on keynote speaker Thomas

Faculty to discuss issue in meeting

By: JOANN ANDERSON

Posted: 4/22/08

Student and faculty reactions remain mixed about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas speaking at graduation due to past allegations of sexual harassment against him. During a semester in which sexual harassment allegations involving University faculty have come to light, many people have said Thomas is not an appropriate keynote speaker.

"After a year of revelations about decades of administrative passivity toward sexual harassment, the decision to invite Justice Clarence Thomas simply adds insult to injury," Pamela Voekel, associate professor of history, wrote in an e-mail Sunday.

"The upper administration, entirely male, is woefully out of touch with its majority female campus. Most of us on the faculty are old enough to remember Justice Thomas' confirmation hearings; Professor Anita Hill's testimony changed America, but apparently not [the University]," Voekel said.

During Thomas' 1991 Senate confirmation hearings for his appointment to the Supreme Court, it was alleged that Thomas had sexually harassed a former colleague, law professor Anita Hill. Hill testified during the hearings, and Thomas denied all allegations. Thomas was appointed to the Supreme Court in October 1991 after a 52-48 Senate vote.

Some faculty plan to address the issue at the University Council meeting today, Janet Frick, associate professor of psychology, said in a phone interview Monday.

Frick said she would not be at the meeting but said, "I imagine [University President Michael] Adams is aware of the controversy that is going on. I don't know if President Adams or if faculty are planning statements."

"I hope it will provide a chance for people to let President Adams know just how little
this gesture is appreciated at this point in [the University's] history," Bethany Moreton, assistant professor of history and women's studies, said in a phone interview Monday. Moreton said she is planning to attend the University Council meeting today and said she had heard students were concerned and may plan to protest at graduation if Thomas is the speaker.

But some students reacted negatively Monday to The Red & Black's coverage of Thomas as speaker.

"Truthfully, as a conservative Republican at a liberal University, it kind of insulted me because we've had liberal speakers in the past," Eric Hauff, a junior from Augusta, said in a phone interview Monday. "I thought The Red & Black and [Chris Cuomo from] Women's Studies department maybe really took it a little too far and could be a little more appreciative of Mr. Thomas coming to the University instead of causing an uproar. Basically, I feel like it's trying to make an issue out of nothing simply to forward a cause for political agenda."

When hearing that Thomas would be the graduation speaker, "I was extremely pleased," Jason Hewell, a senior from Watkinsville, said in a phone interview Monday.

"My concern during my graduation was that I was afraid that the speaker would be someone who would have biased, liberal views," Hewell said.

"I feel like in the past, some of these speakers that [the University] has had, have had a political agenda during their keynote addresses. I think Thomas will be different from other speakers. I remember thinking [at past graduation ceremonies], 'It sure would be nice to have a conservative individual come to speak to the graduates.'"

To inform students about Thomas' past, Frick said she taught about him during her lecture classes Monday.

"I feel like it's our responsibility as professors to talk about current events when things arise," Frick said. "Many of the students had no idea who Clarence Thomas was, or why there was any controversy as his selection as a speaker ... people are still too young to remember the tremendous amount of media coverage during the Senate confirmation hearings."

Frick said many of her students thought Thomas should speak at graduation.

"I supported my students' right to say that," she said. "But I think it's important to model to students how you can peacefully protest decisions that are made ... we should be having a discussion of these things."