VOLUME 35 NOVEMBER 2007 NUMBER 8 ASA Files Complaint Against the U.S. Government for British Boycott Excluding South African Scholar from the United States Threat Sparks Since then, Professor Habib has nurtures scientific development to the The American Civil Liberties (ACLU), informed the U.S. government of benefit of the larger society. Academic ASA Council on behalf of the American Sociological upcoming invitations to speak at U.S. freedom is the hallmark of American Association (ASA) and four other events hosted by the ASA, AAUP, ADC, democratic culture. It has allowed sci- Action associations, filed a legal complaint on ADC-MA, and the BCPR, but his visa entists, intellectuals, and their scholarly September 25, 2007, against the United application continues to languish with- societies to flourish and create one of The American Sociological States government for excluding promi- out explanation. Habib is an American- the world’s most dynamic educational Association’s governing Council nent South African scholar Adam Habib educated PhD and is the Deputy systems and robust knowledge-based approved an official policy state- from entering the United States. The law- Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation economies. ASA opposes the use of visa meant at its August 15, 2007, meet- suit, filed with the U.S. District Court in and Advancement at the University of denials or de facto denials, in general, ing that was prompted by, and in Boston, seeks clarification of rights rela- Johannesburg. He is also a Muslim of based on ideological grounds, because opposition to, the renewed effort last tive to free speech, constitutional guar- Indian descent. such action suppresses free intellectual May of the 120,000-member British antees, and injunctive relief from the U.S. The ASA and other plaintiff organi- exchange. The United States has a long University and College Union to Department of State and the Department zations are and enviable approve a boycott of Israeli academ- of Homeland Security so that Habib can seeking an history as ics and academic institutions. The enter the country. The ASA is joined by order com- Academic freedom is fundamental to ASA’s the world’s the American Association of University boycott proposed by delegates of the pelling the mission, which rests upon the ability of scholars foremost Professors (AAUP), the Arab American government host to Union was intended to protest Israeli from wide-ranging perspectives to engage in government policies that adversely Anti-Discrimination Committee’s (ADC) to immedi- scholars and affect Palestinian scholars and people. Massachusetts Chapter (ADC-MA), ately make dialog that nurtures scientific development to the as a sup- While the boycott was declared illegal and the Boston Coalition of Palestinian a decision benefit of the larger society. Academic freedom is porter of Rights (BCPR). regarding intellectual by advisors to the Union this fall the hallmark of American democratic culture. and has since died, the boycott idea Until recently, Professor Habib, Habib’s exchange stirred considerable international renowned scholar and a vocal critic of pending with many debate and condemnation, including the war in Iraq, traveled frequently to visa application. They declare that the social and economic benefits. by U.S. academic institutional leader- and from the United States. However, defendants’ exclusion of Habib violates The ASA has expressed its deepest ship. Sociologists even debate ASA’s in October of 2006, Customs and Border the First Amendment rights of U.S. disappointment and profound con- response to the proposed boycott (see officials revoked Habib’s visa, without organizations and individuals who have cern over the United States’ exclusion Public Forum section in this Footnotes explanation, upon his arrival at John F. invited him to speak in the country. The of Dr. Habib. Such actions undermine issue on page 12). The ASA statement Kennedy Airport in New York City. On complaint also demands an injunction the willingness of numerous scientists appears below and can be accessed on May 11, 2007, Professor Habib filed an barring the defendants from excluding and academics nationwide to visit the ASA’s website at <www.asanet.org.> application for another visa to attend the Professor Habib on the basis of speech United States and collaborate with their ASA Annual Meeting in New York City that U.S. residents have a constitutional American colleagues. The ASA believes Resolution of the 2007-2008 from August 10-14, 2007. The U.S. gov- right to hear. this limitation on scholarly exchange Council of the American ernment failed to act on his visa appli- Academic freedom is fundamental erodes our nation’s reputation as a Sociological Association cation, causing Dr. Habib to miss his to ASA’s mission, which rests upon the defender of the free and open search for speaking engagement (see ASA’s August ability of scholars from wide-ranging knowledge. August 15, 2007 10 press release at <www.asanet.org>). perspectives to engage in dialog that Whereas the American Sociological Association (ASA) is committed to academic freedom, including full par- “Congratulations” to the 2007 ticipation in the academic community, ASA Section Award Winners! for all scholars irrespective of their Federal Funding for Sociology nationality, institutional affiliation, or ASA is proud to announce the personal political beliefs; and Increases Relative to Other Social winners of the various awards given Whereas the British University and by ASA’s special interest sections. College Union has voted to consider Sciences Not all 44 sections give awards, but R&D Expenditures at Universities and Colleges, by Field a boycott of Israeli academics and the vast majority of sections have ociology Research 2005–2006 academic institutions; and S now reported their 2007 award and Development (R&D) (in Millions of Current Dollars) Whereas Israeli restrictions on winners to ASA, and they are listed funding from the federal Palestinian students prevent them on the ASA website <www.asanet. government (as measured Field 2005 2006 % Change from studying at institutions of higher by expenditures) increased org> under “Sections.” A hearty education in Israel, the West Bank, by 7.9 percent between All R&D 45,777 47,760 4.3 congratulations is extended to and abroad; 2005 and 2006. This num- Psychology 826 875 5.9 each of these outstanding scholars The Council of the ASA reiterates ber outdoes the overall and ASA members! its resolution of August 17, 2005, stat- Social Science 1,685 1,703 1.1 average of 4.3 percent for ing that “The Association deplores all R&D expenditures and Economics 324 339 4.3 restrictions on the free movement of 1.1 percent for overall Political Science 324 317 –2.2 scholars and students and barriers social science expendi- Sociology 370 400 7.9 to scholarly inquiry and exchange;” tures, according to data All Other Soc. Sci. 667 649 –2.7 Nominate Your and its resolution of February 4, compiled by the National 2007, stating that: “The free flow Source: Adapted from National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics, Colleagues! Science Foundation (NSF) of scholars and scholarship across Survey of Research and Development Expenditures at Universities and Colleges, FY 2006. (see accompanying table). national borders is a fundamental Details on submitting In addition, sociology tenet of academic freedom. The ASA funding was higher in actual dollars as well as percentage increase than economics and nominations for the Council affirms its on-going sup- political science. port, as reflected in its statement of nine major ASA awards presented Sociology R&D expenditures by colleges and universities were $400 million in 2006, September 19, 2006, ‘for the protection at the Annual Meeting in August compared to $339 million for economics and $317 million for political science, according of academic independence…through to a recent NSF Info Brief, a publication of the Division of Science Resource Statistics. are on page 10. The deadline for the movement of faculty and students For more information, see <www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf07336/>). This upward between universities irrespective of award nominations is January 31, tick follows the trend in R&D expenditures for sociology as shown in ASA’s Health of nationality or political views.’” Sociology (see <www.asanet.org/galleries/Research/SocHealthsheet_Funding.pdf>). 2008, so nominate early. PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 2 NOVEMBER 2007 FOOTNOTES The Executive Officer’s Column In This Issue . ACLU and ASA File Suit over Academic Freedom The Sociology of Is U.S. democracy’s beacon fading? ASA has become increas- ingly concerned about apparent systemic U.S. government Human Rights interference in scientific exchange and the associated corrosion Three sociologists discuss the in the luster of the nation’s democratic face to the world. ASA 4 has become sufficiently concerned about the need to defend issues they face in doing human our country’s commitment to free exchange—and all that it rights research. implies regarding the advancement of knowledge in schol- arly communities and beyond—that we jointly filed with the What Sets Rural Sally T. Hillsman American Civil Liberties Union last month a complaint with the United States District Court in Boston. We seek to wrest a Sociology Apart from long-awaited decision from the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security to General Sociology? admit internationally known South African scholar Adam Habib into the United States 5 for purposes of scholarly exchange. (See p. 1 for additional details.) Rural sociology is more than a As many readers will recall, the ASA Program Committee had invited Habib focus on agriculture. to speak at ASA’s 2007 Annual Meeting in New York City. Habib, Deputy Vice- Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, is a PhD political scientist trained at the 7 ASA’s DRG Can Help Graduate Center of the City University of New York and a world-renowned scholar of democracy, governance, and social movements.