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Robert Birgeneau protest materials

 Collection
Identifier: HCQ-000-001

Content Description

This collection consists of two fliers and two buttons related to Robert Birgeneau's presence at Haverford College's commencement in 2014 as well as correspondence between Haverford students and alumni and President Dan Weiss regarding William Bowen's commencement speech.. The posters advertise a "Community Forum to discuss Robert Birgenau's presence at Commencement" that took place on Thursday, May 8, 2014. One poster features a quote from Birgeneau and a photo of Martin Luther King Jr. The other poster features a quote from former Haverford president Dan Weiss and a photo of the Berkely protest. The buttons have "Ask me about Robert Birgeneau" printed on them. The correspondence consists of a letter from Haverford students and alumni to President Dan Weiss expressing their disappointment with William Bowen's speech at commencement and Weiss's response.

Dates

  • Creation: 2014

Creator

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Standard Federal Copyright Law Applies (U.S. Title 17)

Historical Note

At the Class of 2014's commencement ceremony, William Bowen, former president of Princeton University, used his time as a commencement speaker to chastise Haverford students, drawing mixed feelings from the commencement audience. Bowen spoke out against a list of demands that over 40 Haverford students and three faculty members signed and sent to Robert Birgeneau, who was supposed to speak at the ceremony. The letter to Birgeneau, former chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley, detailed the Haverford community's disagreement with how Birgeneau handled a protest at UC Berkeley. The 2011 protest resulted in police using force against nonviolent protestors. The students and faculty members who signed the letter asked Birgeneau to meet 9 demands before speaking at their graduation, some including taking full responsibility for the events of the protest, paying reparations to the victims, and writing a letter to Haverford students explaining what he has learned from the incident. Birgeneau declined these demands and withdrew as a commencement speaker. In Bowen's commencement speech, he called the actions of the Haverford protestors "immature" and "arrogant." Though Bowen received a standing ovation at the ceremony, many students and faculty members were angered by his speech.

Extent

0.25 linear ft. (2 pins and 2 flyers (1 folder))

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection consists of two fliers and two buttons related to Robert Birgeneau's presence at Haverford College's commencement in 2014 as well as correspondence between Haverford students and alumni and President Dan Weiss regarding William Bowen's commencement speech.

Processing Information

Processed by Maia Schallie, completed April 2023.

Title
Robert Birgeneau protest materials
Status
Completed
Author
Maia Schwallie
Date
August, 2023
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Find It at the Library

Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections Library

Contact:
370 Lancaster Ave
Haverford PA 19041 USA US