Provost Patrick Farrell’s statement on Anti-Defamation League criticism

Oct. 11, 2006

University of Wisconsin-Madison Provost Patrick Farrell today issued the following statement regarding the Anti-Defamation League’s criticism regarding part-time instructor Kevin Barrett, who teaches the class, Islam: Religion and Culture:

“When Kevin Barrett’s views first drew widespread attention, we made it clear that this was a course on Islamic thought. Because of the nature of the course and of political realities, we expected that some of the course material might be unpopular or provocative.

“The university does not support statements that are anti-Semitic, and we do not endorse Mr. Barrett’s personal views.”