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<p style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 0.2in; line-height: 9.6pt;"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial;"><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=ef0b29fa8c&view=fimg&th=14cd7b256af46892&attid=0.1&disp=emb&realattid=ii_i8q3toey0_14cd7afb0d300da8&attbid=ANGjdJ_TBqmUb7zVID9W-qyLyWrON6kXQWFpG_xmiYysCYvZb2zQffXKEfaQTSYYK55X0ag5KbATcJ5BzLw-zdvWrTQKE5N6pR4OKgv6Myg63zVgk3hE4pvC5Cz_tc0&sz=w320-h320&ats=1429753194948&rm=14cd7b256af46892&zw&atsh=1" originalwidth="320" originalheight="320" rszimgcmd="50" style="width: 160px; height: 160px;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%">
<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Dear
Undergraduates,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%">
<span style="background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">I
hope all is well.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span>Recently, I received <a href="https://www.facebook.com/palestineatmit/posts/910751845641972" target="_blank">a letter</a> from Palestine@MIT, on behalf of various students
and student groups, about an event on the SpringFest calendar, the Israeli Independence Day Carnival. The letter stated the group's concern that the event would be uncomfortable for some students on campus, as it stands as a reminder of the 1948 Palestinian
Exodus. This raises many politically sensitive and emotional issues for some students affected by that event. Considering this discomfort for students, as well as a lack of publicity for an opportunity to participate in SpringFest and transparency concerning
the calendar, Palestine@MIT requested that we remove the event from the SpringFest calendar. This morning, the Undergraduate Association (UA) Events Committee and I met with MIT Hillel, Friends of Israel and Palestine@MIT to discuss these concerns and our
path forward. We wish to share with you the decision we made, and the reasoning behind it.<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%">
<span style="background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">Every
student group at MIT is recognized by the Association of Student Activities (ASA), and through this organization, all undergraduate student groups are recognized by the UA. Every recognized student group has the ability to apply for funds from the UA through
the Financial Board, and is eligible for such funding as long as they are recognized by the ASA, with no other consideration.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;
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<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">As
part of this, it is often the case that some student groups will be ones with which other undergraduates are uncomfortable, or may express an idea contrary to the opinions of others. In the course of history, it is often the case that such groups would not
be allowed; moreover, it is often the case that those who hold a minority opinion, contrary to that of the majority, may have their opinion silenced either through the active suppression of the majority, or a lack of resources provided. Perhaps the most valued
and intrinsic desire of every human being is to have a voice - to allow their ideas to be expressed. There are two courses of action the UA may take in regards to controversial groups and ideas - either recognize no groups, whether of the majority or minority
opinion, if there is a hint of controversy, or recognize all groups equally, regardless of the popularity of their idea.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In these cases, consistent with what has been stated above, the UA has always taken the case of the latter, and recognizes all groups equally, so long as that group is recognized
by the ASA and is operating consistent with MIT policies. The reasons for this are many - but perhaps most importantly, by recognizing all ideas and opinions equally, we are more able to allow a free expression of ideas, allowing undergraduates to be exposed
to a wide range of opinions, and choose for themselves those of which they are for, and those of which they are against. At times, this will result in us feeling uncomfortable - and it is the challenge of every one of us to recognize why that is the case,
and act accordingly. Please note that this freedom does not extend towards groups or events which are in violation of MIT policies, such as the MIT Nondiscrimination Policy.<br>
<br>
It was the intent of the UA Events Committee to allow any student group that was hosting an event during the week of SpringFest to have the opportunity to publicize that event on the SpringFest calendar. We recognize that we did not accomplish this task appropriately,
and it was not obvious to all student groups that this opportunity existed. Accordingly, Palestine@MIT was unaware of the Israeli Independence Day Carnival would be part of SpringFest until the schedule was released last Thursday, and initially did not have
plans to host an event of their own that coincided with SpringFest. Moving forward, we invite Palestine@MIT and all student groups to participate in SpringFest in whatever capacity they feel is appropriate. If there are any changes to the present schedule,
they can be found on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/UAEventsCommittee" target="_blank">UA Events Committee Facebook Page</a>.</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%">
<span style="background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial"><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">As
the Friends of Israel and MIT Hillel, the sponsors of the event, are ASA-recognized student groups, and their event is consistent with established policies, we have chosen to keep the event on the SpringFest schedule. Further, we do not feel that it is appropriate
to derecognize their event, due to our failure to notify student groups of the opportunity to publicize. To do otherwise would set a precedent that would be contrary to the values expressed above, and, we believe, would ultimately be more harmful to all affected
groups.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;background-image:initial;background-repeat:initial">
<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">In
light of our failure to properly notify all student groups of the opportunity to publicize events over SpringFest, in future years we will have a systematic approach that will ensure all student groups are notified of the opportunity within a timeframe that
allows for the proper planning and execution of events during the week of SpringFest. We apologize for our failure to do so this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We encourage you to learn more about the events mentioned in this email by reaching out to MIT Hillel at <a href="mailto:hillel-board@mit.edu" target="_blank">hillel-board@mit.edu</a> ,
Friends of Israel at <a href="mailto:israel-board@mit.edu" target="_blank">israel-board@mit.edu</a> , and Palestine@MIT at <a href="mailto:pal_exec_current@mit.edu" target="_blank" title="mailto:pal_exec_current@mit.edu
Ctrl+Click to follow link">pal_exec_current@mit.edu</a> .
Furthermore, we invite you to share your thoughts on this decision <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hQmXNeywlknMiesiY3D5JNO_UOs3I7WJpHDtFz0BF5w/viewform" target="_blank" title="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hQmXNeywlknMiesiY3D5JNO_UOs3I7WJpHDtFz0BF5w/viewform
Ctrl+Click to follow link">here</a>.</span><span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.2in; line-height: 115%; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-size: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial;">
<span style="font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Thank you very much for your time.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Matthew Davis<br>
Undergraduate Association President<br>
Class of 2016<br>
<br>
Raichelle Aniceto, Divya Shanmugan<br>
Undergraduate Association Events Committee<br>
Class of 2016, Class of 2017<br>
<br>
Massachusetts Institute of Technology</span></p>
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