Michael Waterstone, dean of the UCLA School of Law, issued the following statement today.
Legal education and the practice of law require a willingness to question assumptions and engage opposing arguments seriously. This should involve approaching difficult conversations with civility and respect, and careful listening.
We must always strive to live out these principles. Multiple individuals who did not comply with these principles at a recent student event were issued warnings and were either escorted out or left of their own accord. There was also protest activity that was not disruptive to the event and consistent with the First Amendment and University policies. While the moderated conversation continued throughout, and the event proceeded to its conclusion, we recognize some disruption, and UCLA School of Law is reviewing all policies and will take necessary steps to ensure student groups can host speakers in an environment of civil engagement. Students should have the ability to challenge content they disagree with, and speakers cannot be limited because some disagree with the content of their speech. Anything less is antithetical to our profession, and commitment to academic freedom and the open exchange of ideas.
