Why City University of New York Must Reverse Its Tony Kushner Decision
By Aryeh Neier
On May 2, the City University of New York board of trustees vetoed the decision of John Jay College to grant an honorary degree to acclaimed American playwright Tony Kushner.
The CUNY decision was misguided and unprecedented. I decided, along with three fellow recipients of honorary degrees from John Jay, to send a letter urging the university to reverse its decision. Otherwise, it risks jeopardizing the very principles for which a university stands: free speech, the exchange of ideas, and tolerance of diversity of opinion.
We decided against returning our honorary degrees because we hold John Jay College in great esteem, and it is not responsible for the board of trustee’s decision.
Read a copy of the letter, and I encourage you to send your own.
Aryeh Neier is president emeritus of the Open Society Foundations.