Syracuse University is negotiating with Arab governments for grants to support university research projects but officials said the university would reject any grants requiring exclusion of Jewish faculty and faculty and staff members from the projects.
John. J. Prucha, vice-chancellor for academic affairs, said it was “inconceivable that a great open university like Syracuse University would become involved in any project with restrictions regarding religion or nationality.” The academic issue developed earlier this month when five midwestern universities halted work on a project at Riyadh University in Saudi Arabia after a Jewish dean at Michigan State University was denied a visa to work on the project.
Prucha said the university had discussed with representatives of the Saudi Arabian Education Ministry whether involvement of Jewish faculty members would affect projects involving Saudi Arabia and that “we received firm assurances there would be no difficulties.” He added that projects underway or anticipated by Syracuse University, unlike that of the five midwestern schools, do not involve work in Saudi Arabia.
Dr. Michael Marge, dean of the university College for Human Development, said he and his staff have sent proposals to Iran and several other Mideast countries but that no proposals had yet been consummated.
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