Hong Kong universities urged not to take stance on political issues amid controversy over independence
Pomona College president David Oxtoby says an institution may diminish campus discussion if it adopts a political position
Universities should not take a stance on political matters as that may deter students with different views from expressing their opinions, the president of a renowned US liberal arts college has said.
The comments by David Oxtoby came after at least two universities in Hong Kong spoke out against independence for the city.
Oxtoby of Pomona College in Claremont, California told the Post during a visit to Hong Kong that a university may “diminish the discussions” taking place on campus if it took a political stance.
“In general, I don’t think it’s good for universities to take political positions because you want the faculty and students to be able to express different opinions,” he said.
While Oxtoby has spoken out on several occasions about issues such as immigration and civility and respect in public discourse, even criticising one of the US presidential candidates for lowering the level of discussion, he said this was done in a personal capacity.
He added that in the US, a university would only take a stance on issues directly related to education.