Spring Break
Adams backs decision to invite Thomas
BRIAN MINK
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: News
Despite some opposition, University President Michael Adams' message Tuesday to University Council was a clear one: He's standing by his choice of Associate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as this semester's commencement speaker.
Adams said opposition to Thomas is not about sexual harassment and said he defends Thomas' right to speak.
Allegations that Thomas sexually harassed female coworker Anita Hill were never proven, Adams said. He said he hopes students will not embarrass themselves or the University with their actions during Thomas' speech.
"I don't think this issue is at all about sexual harassment," Adams told the council. "Anybody who has any remaining doubt about my position on the sexual harassment issue has had their head in the ground."
During Thomas' 1991 Senate confirmation hearings for his appointment to the Supreme Court, it was alleged that he sexually harassed Hill. Hill testified during the hearings, and Thomas denied all allegations. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in October 1991 after a 52-48 Senate vote.
In light of those allegations, a faculty member and a student in the audience spoke against Thomas' invitation to serve as commencement speaker, which was announced last week.
About 10 students protested with posters decrying Adams' choice of speaker.
"There is no one to credit or blame in that regard [choosing Thomas] but me," Adams said of the selection.
The faculty member, who did not identify herself, said the decision "was so discouraging" compared to apparent gains in anti-sexual harassment enforcement on campus.
The student identified himself as a graduating senior and told Adams it showed "how out-of-touch you are with the student body."
In a news conference after the meeting, Adams said Thomas is a supporter of the University and commented about the warm reception he received here.
"I think you would have this reaction from some quarters at any time," he said. "We're not going to start having political litmus tests at the University of Georgia about who our speakers are."
Adams said opposition to Thomas is not about sexual harassment and said he defends Thomas' right to speak.
Allegations that Thomas sexually harassed female coworker Anita Hill were never proven, Adams said. He said he hopes students will not embarrass themselves or the University with their actions during Thomas' speech.
"I don't think this issue is at all about sexual harassment," Adams told the council. "Anybody who has any remaining doubt about my position on the sexual harassment issue has had their head in the ground."
During Thomas' 1991 Senate confirmation hearings for his appointment to the Supreme Court, it was alleged that he sexually harassed Hill. Hill testified during the hearings, and Thomas denied all allegations. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in October 1991 after a 52-48 Senate vote.
In light of those allegations, a faculty member and a student in the audience spoke against Thomas' invitation to serve as commencement speaker, which was announced last week.
About 10 students protested with posters decrying Adams' choice of speaker.
"There is no one to credit or blame in that regard [choosing Thomas] but me," Adams said of the selection.
The faculty member, who did not identify herself, said the decision "was so discouraging" compared to apparent gains in anti-sexual harassment enforcement on campus.
The student identified himself as a graduating senior and told Adams it showed "how out-of-touch you are with the student body."
In a news conference after the meeting, Adams said Thomas is a supporter of the University and commented about the warm reception he received here.
"I think you would have this reaction from some quarters at any time," he said. "We're not going to start having political litmus tests at the University of Georgia about who our speakers are."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 31
Adams is crap
posted 4/23/08 @ 9:21 AM EST
Well of course President Scumbag will not budge. The thought of doing so is unthinkable to him.
The question is why did anyone think he wouldn't whole heartidly stand behind him? He has yet to make a decision favoring what the majority of the Bulldog Nation wants. (Continued…)
CJM
posted 4/23/08 @ 9:24 AM EST
Let's face it, the reaction to Clarence Thomas' scheduled visit is "political" anyway you cut the issue, so stop using that excuse as a way to turn the discussion into a polemic and to deflect the harassment and discrimination issues that are clearly pervasive on this campus. (Continued…)
Nick
posted 4/23/08 @ 9:45 AM EST
Who actually picks the speaker? This article starts with Adams defending HIS decision. I thought some board of people picked the speaker... anyone know for sure?
Matt
posted 4/23/08 @ 10:11 AM EST
As someone who really doesn't care one way or the other (I'm not graduating until 2009 and have been pretty much apathetic about the Thomas decision), Adams' statements are laughable. (Continued…)
Daniel
posted 4/23/08 @ 10:19 AM EST
To "Adams is crap":
1. It's innocent until proven guilty, buddy.
2. The Anita Hill situation happened almost two decades ago, and there haven't been any other accusations against Thomas. (Continued…)
Reed
posted 4/23/08 @ 10:31 AM EST
The sight of only about 7 or 8 people showing up to yesterday's council meeting to protest was pretty laughable. Especially since they all looked and sounded like morons. (Continued…)
Janet Frick
posted 4/23/08 @ 10:49 AM EST
President Adams, you had an opportunity at the University Council meeting yesterday to set the tone for how discourse about controversial opinions will be handled. (Continued…)
Samantha meek
posted 4/23/08 @ 10:55 AM EST
I just wanted to point out how ironic it is that every single pro-Thomas editorial in the Red and Black both yesterday and today were written by MEN. Look, I think the Supreme Court Justice would be an amazing speaker but at any other time this year. (Continued…)
Allison
posted 4/23/08 @ 11:30 AM EST
In response to Frank Wank, you obviously do not have a grasp on the situation when you have to resort to petty name calling of the people who are brave enough to voice their opinion when people like you make personal attacks on them. (Continued…)
professor
posted 4/23/08 @ 11:55 AM EST
As a professor on this campus, I was greatly disheartened to hear of President Adams' choice for this year's commencement speaker. If his intention was to undermine my confidence in his ability to deal with the problem of sexual harassment on this campus, he succeeded. (Continued…)
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