New York 6 presidents reject ASA call for boycott

Skidmore President Philip A. Glotzbach and other leaders of the colleges that make up the New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium have signed a statement rejecting the American Studies Association’s call for a boycott of academic institutions in Israel.

The group’s statement:

We, the presidents of the six schools that make up the New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium reject the call for a boycott of Israeli academic institutions recently announced by the American Studies Association.

We agree with the American Association of University Professors that the ASA resolution is “a setback for the cause of academic freedom.”

We have found that interaction and collaboration are by far the best way for schools to investigate the most significant problems our society faces.

We will continue to encourage our colleagues to engage with faculty and institutions in Israel and across the world to promote scholarship and the free exchange of ideas, and to provide additional opportunities for our students.

The New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium is made up of Skidmore College, Colgate University, Hamilton College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, St. Lawrence University, and Union College. It facilitates collaboration through the sharing of expertise and resources.