Kevin B. MacDonald - CSULB Comments

CSULB Comments

MacDonald has been highly critical of the SPLC's investigation of him, including the November 2006 visit to his university's campus by the SPLC's Beirich. Shortly after the visit, the University issued a statement supporting MacDonald's academic freedom. Beirich acknowledges that the University supports MacDonald "unequivocally". In reply to Beirich, University spokeswoman Toni Beron replied, "The university will support MacDonald's academic freedom and freedom of speech." In response to this controversy, MacDonald was initially pressured to post a disclaimer on his website stating "nothing on this website should be interpreted to suggest that I condone white racial superiority, genocide, Nazism, or Holocaust denial. I advocate none of these and strongly dissociate myself and my work from groups that do. Nor should my opinions be used to support discrimination against Jews or any other group." He has since removed that disclaimer. In addition, the Psychology Department on December 4, and 6th, issued three statements: a "Statement on Academic Freedom and Responsibility in Research", a "Statement on Diversity", and a "Statement on Misuse of Psychologists' Work".

Toni Beron, a spokeswoman for CSULB, said that at least two classes a year taught by all professors—including MacDonald—have student evaluations, and that some of the questions on those evaluations are open-ended, allowing students to raise any issue. "Nothing has come through" to suggest bias in class, she said. "We don't see it."

Jonathan Knight, who handles academic freedom issues for the American Association of University Professors said that if there are no indications that MacDonald shares his views in class, "I don't see a basis for an investigation" into what goes on in his courses.