GLSEN Asks for Silber's Resignation (MA)

October 2, 2002 By Bill Yelenak The Boston University Daily Free Press

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) called for Boston University Chancellor John Silber to resign yesterday, citing his "promotion of discrimination leveled at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, faculty and the community at large," according to a GLSEN press release.

John Denison, the communications director of GLSEN, said after recent comments by Silber, the group decided to make its move.

"We were involved in one level when the [Gay-Straight Alliance] was closed down," Denison said. "When it was reported in the Globe he said these highly discriminatory remarks, we realized he had been moved from the realm of just the GSA to the entire University."

GLSEN Executive Director Kevin Jennings said, in the press release, he felt Silber would be benefiting the University by resigning his position as Chancellor. Although Silber is officially the Chancellor of the University, he is making presidential decisions since the resignation of Jon Westling.

"Mr. Silber should do the right thing and remove himself from the landscape," Jennings said in the press release. "We are asking him to step down. He has proven himself uninformed and unfit to be a role model and leader, and he is putting students, faculty and others in harm's way as long as he remains on the job."

While Denison said he couldn't comment on how the national organization came about deciding to ask John Silber to resign, he said GLSEN had been active in the fight since the beginning.

"We've been staying on top of the fallout from the GSA for weeks now," Denison said. "The first thing I did on Monday morning was I checked the Globe and found this item in the campus news section. My eyes widened, and I couldn't believe what I was reading."

The press release cited Silber elimination of the BU Academy's GSA as its main reason for calling for the resignation. According to the release, the GSA was registered with GLSEN's Department of Student Organizing, had been a part of the school for two years and drew nearly a quarter of the student body for some of its events.

Silber's comments during his speech to students in the University Professors program and the resignation of former BU massage and yoga instructor Eric Lindemer were other reasons GLSEN felt Silber should resign, according to the press release.

Neil Minahan, the president of BU Law School's Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender organization, called the press release a "strong statement" and said there were "reasons to call for his resignation" but made it clear he believed the group's efforts would be futile.

"I don't imagine Silber will listen to the group," Minahan said. "He's showed that he's pretty obstinate in his views and he doesn't alter them for many people."

Minahan said he wasn't expecting any change to come from calling out the chancellor, although he said he hopes he is wrong.

"I don't know [Silber] personally," Minahan said. "From the way I've heard him talking and the things he's been saying over the past weeks and years, I don't see him changing his mind.

"Whether or not he will tender his resignation, I doubt that," he said. "Whether or not that's a good idea, I don't know."

Denison said he wasn't sure if the call would result in a response from John Silber's office.

"We have no idea. We put out the call," Denison said. "I think you can say that no one will predict how John Silber will react."

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