Dean Esche and Board of Governors
Middlesex University
The Burroughs
London NW4 4BT

May 27, 2010

Dear Dean Esche and Board of Governors,

We write to condemn the suspension of Professor Peter Osborne, Professor Peter Hallward, Dr. Christian Kerslake, and the students Ali Alizadeh, Nicola Goodchild, Johann Hoiby, and Hoi Yen Voong. The protests they waged in response to the closure of the Department of Philosophy were non-violent and appropriate.  Your jack-booted over-reaction to legitimate opposition corrupts the fundamental ideal of the university. In responding to critique with force, you undermine the basic principles of education. Not only do you send a message to students, and to the world at large, that academic freedom has no place at Middlesex University, but you also contribute to the production of a society incapable of accommodating dissent.

The case for closing the Department of Philosophy is not compelling. Thousands of scholars have come together in one voice to urge its reconsideration. Philosophy is the highest research-rated subject at Middlesex University. It is also a department with enormous cultural significance insofar as it trains the largest number of MA students in philosophy in the UK and has contributed to the education of numerous artists, curators, and critical intellectuals.

In solidarity with the students and faculty in the Department of Philosophy, we call on the Board of Governors immediately to reverse these ill-founded and damaging decisions.

Faculty of Hobart and William Smith Colleges:

Etin Anwar
Eugen Baer
Eric Barnes
Betty Bayer
Michael Bogin
Scott Brophy
Anthony Cerulli
Mark Corliss
Robert Cowles
Kanate Dahouda
Jodi Dean
Kevin Dunn
Maureen Flynn
Greg Frost-Arnold
Karen Frost-Arnold
David Eck
Catherine Gallouet
Christopher Gunn
Warren Hamilton
Susan Henking
Leah Himmelhoch
James-Henry Holland
Grant Holly
George Joseph
Shalahudin  Kafrawi
Rodmon King
Eric Klaus
John Krummel
Steven Lee
Jennifer Lightweis-Goff
Elisabeth Lyon
Brenda Maiale
Patricia Mathews
Stan Mathews
James McCorkle
Patrick McGuire
Susan McNally
Nicola Minott-Ahl
Carol Oberbrunner
Edgar Paiewonsky-Conde
Karl Parker
Paul Passavant
Eric Patterson
Stacey Philbrick Yadav
Alison Redick
Craig Rimmerman
Colby Ristow
Linda Robertson
Richard Salter
William Waller
Dylan Weller