The University of Massachusetts Boston Human Right’s Working Group’s proposal to establish a human rights center and human rights program at the University of Massachusetts Boston has won the endorsement of Chancellor Jo Ann Gora and Interim Provost Arthur MacEwan.
“I applaud your efforts to build a center that would provide a foundation for new scholarship and present the university community with a source of information, ideas, and activity around human rights issue,” Chancellor Gora said in a memo to the UMBHRWG. “Its innate interdisciplinary focus is one I support.”
“The establishment of such a center,” wrote Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs MacEwan, “could make a valuable contribution to the University, enhancing the education of our students and providing a focal point for activities that would have far-reaching, positive impacts on and off the campus.”
And, Professor MacEwan continued in a letter addressed to the UMBHRWG:
“I am especially pleased that you are attempting to build your efforts on a very broad definition of human rights, taking into account issues of gender and class and building your work on a foundation of economic and social analysis. The political rights that are usually defined in terms of free elections and widespread civil liberties are essential aspects of human rights. Yet, as your work acknowledges, the effective exercise of these political rights is closely connected to the establishment of equally important social and economic rights. A broad collection of political, economic, and social rights is needed to build a society where human rights are respected and effective.
If you are successful in your efforts, a human rights center at the University of Massachusetts Boston could provide an important foundation for both formal and informal work at the university. It could be a basis on which to organize new classes that would both enlighten and energize students. It could provide a foundation for new scholarship on a wide variety of important issues. It could present the larger community with a source of information, ideas, and activity around human rights issues. Not only would this work be valuable in itself, but, in addition, the work of a Human Rights Center could be a model for the further emergence of strong multidisciplinary programs on campus.”
In addition to the support of the Chancellor and Interim Provost, the proposal to establish a human rights center and program at UMB has received the endorsement of the Hispanic Studies and Latin American Studies, the Economics and Anthropology departments, the College of Public and Community Service, 45 faculty members, and numerous staff. Furthermore, a student survey taken last semester demonstrated not only supported the proposal but would welcome the opportunity to participate in a human rights program and earn a human rights certificate or degree. And Joshua Rubenstein, the Northeast Regional Director of Amnesty International wrote:
“The idea of creating a program which would grant a degree in human rights is an innovative and inspiring goal for your new program. It would demonstrate an extraordinary commitment on the part of UMass Boston and a long overdue example of academic leadership.”
The UMBHRWG is composed of UMB faculty members, students, staff, and human rights activists from the wider community. Its first meeting of the new semester will take place on Friday, February 1, from 12-2PM in W4-138 (The Chiapas room on the fourth floor of Wheatley.)