Editor,
A number of misconceptions have evolved following the Sept. 30 symposium at UNM at which a local activist was arrested. As interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and someone who was actually present at the forum, I would like to correct these misconceptions.
The symposium was intended to be a discussion of technical and strategic projects that will affect the nuclear weapons stockpile and the nuclear weapons complex. Before and during the event, the rules of the forum were clearly identified and outlined several times, both verbally and in written form, in meetings with anti-nuclear proponents and before the assembled audience. It was clearly noted that everyone would have ample opportunity to speak and to be heard.
An individual's behavior became so disruptive that the forum could not continue. Event organizers and UNM administrators called UNM Police only after it was determined that numerous attempts to bring
order to the proceedings had failed.
It is important to note that once the forum was allowed to continue, a wide variety of opinions and viewpoints got a full and thorough hearing, notably many opposed to the proposal being discussed. It is unfortunate that some sought to disrupt the discussion of an important public policy issue rather than constructively engage in that discussion.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
A fundamental principle of free speech is that no one has the right to prevent a person from speaking. It is, in fact, our responsibility to allow others to speak - to voice their opinions even when they are different from our own. Disruptive behavior inhibits a free exchange of ideas and the ability for everyone to speak without being shouted down.
The University environment is one that welcomes the free exchange of ideas in an atmosphere that is tolerant of everyone's viewpoint. We welcome the evaluation of all ideas in the context of a learning environment and will continue to do so.
Vera Norwood
Interim dean
UNM College of Arts
and Sciences
