Frequently asked questions about the future Annual Meeting format
An FAQ with answers to some frequently asked questions about the format of MESA's future annual meetings.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the BDS Resolution
An FAQ with answers to some frequently asked questions about the BDS resolution.
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Response from SFSU President Mahoney to April 13 letter
The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to the 13 April letter expressing concern over the decision by San Francisco State University to open an investigation into Professor Mahiar Berooz's showing of an image of the Prophet Muhammad in his class.
Letter to the president of San Francisco State University protesting the investigation of Professor Maziar Behrooz
Our letter expressing concern over the decision by San Francisco State University to open an investigation into Professor Mahiar Berooz's showing of an image of the Prophet Muhammad in his class.
Letter to the president of NYU regarding graduate student Naye Idriss
Our letter to the President of NYU expressing our concern about the university’s recent investigation of graduate student Naye Idriss.
Response from President Bacow to January 10 Letter
The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to the 10 January letter expressing concern about the July 2022 decision by Douglas Elmendorf, dean of faculty of the Harvard Kennedy School, to reject the appointment of Kenneth Roth as a senior fellow of the school’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy.
Letter to the president of GWU regarding Professor Lara Sheehi
Our letter to the president of GWU protesting the unwarranted investigation of Professor Lara Sheehi
Open Letter to the President of Hamline University
Open letter from professors who teach subjects related to Islam, Muslim culture, and the Islamic world in support of Professor Erika López Prater
Letter regarding Hamline University Professor Erika López Prater
Our letter to the president of Hamline University protesting the termination of a faculty member on grounds of alleged Islamophobia.
Letter to the President of Harvard University regarding Kenneth Roth
Our letter to the president of Harvard University protesting the denial of a fellowship to Kenneth Roth
Letter to Cornell University regarding Professor Samia Henni
Our letter urging Cornell University to protect the academic freedom and personal safety of Professor Samia Henni.
Case Western Reserve University’s recent statement about anti-Semitism
Our letter urging the President of Case Western Reserve University to reconsider its recent statement which equates criticism of the State of Israel with anti-Semitism.
Response by Asst Secretary for Civil Rights to June 27 letter
The Committee on Academic Freedom received a response to the 27 June letter urging the Department Education’s Office for Civil Rights to not use the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and its examples to formulate antidiscrimination regulations.
University of Denver Statement about Professor Nader Hashemi
Letter urging the University of Denver to reconsider its recent public statement concerning Professor Nader Hashemi.
Letter to the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights urging it not to use the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and its examples to formulate antidiscrimination regulations
Letter to the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights urging it not to use the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism and its examples to formulate antidiscrimination regulations
Letter to the president of John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) protesting the cancellation of the Palestine Lives Conference
Letter to the president of John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) protesting the cancellation of the Palestine Lives Conference.
Middle East Scholars Vote to Endorse BDS
The membership of MESA has voted in favor of a resolution endorsing the Palestinian call for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions of Israel as a way to hold the government accountable for ongoing human rights violations. MESA’s Board of Directors will implement it in a manner consistent with MESA’s bylaws as well as relevant U.S. federal, state, and local laws. The resolution states that the boycott will not target individual students or scholars, and reiterates the right of individual MESA members to choose whether or not they wish to participate in an academic boycott of Israeli institutions.
Letter to the President of the University of Washington
Letter to the President of the University of Washington protesting the treatment of Professor Liora Halperin.
MESA Members Vote to Advance BDS Resolution to Full Membership Vote in Early 2022
MESA members vote to put BDS resolution to a referendum by the full membership in early 2022, endorsing Palestinian civil society’s call for solidarity in support of human rights, including the right to education and academic freedom.
Letter to the president of Middlebury College
Letter to the president of Middlebury College to express concern about Middlebury College’s response to a recent incident of harassment involving students advocating on campus for Palestinian rights.
Censorship Online: Academic Freedom and Digital Platforms
MESA has noted with growing concern the arbitrary censorship of academic events in North America on a variety of online platforms, and is collecting primary source documents and links to media reporting on related topics.
Response from Cornell University to November 6 Letter
Cornell University Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina responds on behalf of President Pollack and Dean Yoon to November 6, 2020 CAF letter regarding the treatment of Professor Ariella Azoulay during and after an online lecture.
Letter to Cornell regarding Ariella Azoulay lecture disruption
Letter to president and dean at Cornell University protesting treatment of Professor Ariella Azoulay during and after an online lecture.
Statement on DHS Proposed Rule Imposing New Limits on Student Visa Duration
The MESA Task Force on Civil and Human Rights calls on DHS to withdraw a proposed rule that would effectively deprive international students of lawful status for the duration required for many degree programs, restricting students from much of the developing world to two-year visas insufficient even for undergraduate study. The administration's proposed regulation would effectively mean that the United States no longer welcomes international students. If this rule were to go into effect, students from much of the world would face severe disincentives in considering degree programs in the U.S. Such actions would inflict broad harm on the intellectual life and economic viability of American universities, future generations of students, and the sectors of the economy that require highly qualified researchers and professionals.
Memo on the Circumstances of the Arrest and Detention of Iranian Materials Scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari
The Middle East Studies Association Task Force on Civil and Human Rights and the Committee on Academic Freedom join together in expressing our shock and outrage at reports concerning the arrest and detention of Iranian materials scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari.