Nonetheless, I acknowledge the difficulty of balancing deeply disturbing views expressed by members of our community with the University s fundamental principle of free speech. In all of the media attention the situation received, UTM wasn t really identified U of T as a whole was identified, said McNutt. I think the whole situation has played itself out now. I think he s felt the sting of his actions. Professor Rackoff made his statement publicly and it s his to live with, he said.
Freedom of expression is the underpinning of a university.
Everyone should be able to express their beliefs. But as an administrator of this university, I have a right to disagree with his statements. Healthy debate makes universities thrive. In his e-mail, Rackoff said, Please do NOT respond to me complaining about this message. It s important to have a forum for debate, but if you send something out, you have to be prepared to receive criticism, said McNutt.