The College Fix

President said ‘discussions’ about the event had become ‘disruptive’

The Medical College of Wisconsin rescinded permission for an outside group to host a panel on the problems of “diversity, equity and inclusion” in science and medicine because it would “jeopardize safety.” The president also said that “discussions” about the event had become “unacceptably disruptive.”

The Wisconsin Association of Scholars planned to rent the private college’s facilities for a May 12 event with National Association of Scholars expert John Sailer and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican.

But on May 4, the university president wrote to the campus community and said he had decided to rescind permission for the group to use its facilities. The group plans to host the event in Milwaukee on Friday at an alternative location.

While President John Raymond promised that he believed in the importance of the “exchange of ideas,” he explained that “such conversations need to occur at a time when there are circumstances that encourage respectful dialogue.”

The cancellation appears to have been driven partially by pushback from professors.

NEW: On May 12, I was going to speak on DEI at the Medical College of Wisconsin, alongside Sen. Ron Johnson and State Rep. Dave Murphy.

Last night, the president of the college announced he has “rescind the use” of the its facilities for the event, citing disruptions and safety. pic.twitter.com/bSgbBQvjUn

— John Sailer (@JohnDSailer) May 5, 2023

The open letter stated that Sailer “does not have any peer reviewed publications related to DEI initiatives in education and has published text that uses discriminatory language towards underrepresented groups.”

Sailer is a prolific writer and commentator who has been published in well-known publications including the Wall Street Journal.

The letter continued:

There is no mention of speakers that will present an alternative view to this organization. Finally, this group is not a part of or affiliated with MCW; they are an outside, political group with a political agenda. Academic freedom, civil liberties and freedom of speech do not dictate that this event should take place at our private institution. It is not designed to accomplish a discussion but to espouse a single point of view.

“President Raymond canceled the event,” Sailer wrote. “A textbook hecklers veto.”

MORE: Northwestern CRs lose funding for James Lindsay event

IMAGES: John Sailer/Twitter; ronjohnson.senate.gov

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