Harvard University has sparked outrage among students and faculty with a poorly received attempt to facilitate discussions about sensitive topics during the holidays. Colour-coded placemats advising students on how to discuss complex issues such as Syrian refugees, police killings, and student activism were met with criticism from students and the Harvard Undergraduate Council.
The placemats, issued by the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in conjunction with the freshmen dean's office, divided potential questions into four sections and suggested scripted responses. However, many students felt that the approach was overly prescriptive and stifled genuine discussion.
The Harvard Undergraduate Council slammed the move, stating that the university should help students 'think and speak for themselves' rather than dictate their opinions. The council also expressed concern that the placemats undermined the college's mission of fostering intellectual, social, and personal growth by providing scripted answers to complex issues.
In a joint statement, the dean of student life and the dean of freshmen apologised for the placemats and acknowledged that they failed to account for diverse viewpoints on campus. They also apologised for any offence caused and admitted that the move had confused students.
The incident has reignited debate about universities' roles in promoting social justice and free speech. Some argue that scripted responses undermine the very principles of free inquiry that universities are meant to uphold, while others see it as a misguided attempt to facilitate dialogue on campus.