Purdue’s Daniels condemns group over boycott move

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University President Mitch Daniels is joining other university presidents in condemning a decision by the American Studies Association to endorse a boycott of Israeli universities.

Daniels tells the Journal & Courier the boycott would be a clear violation of academic freedom. Daniels says he doesn’t believe Purdue has any institutional relationship with the association, but is checking to see whether any of its departments do.

Indiana University President Michael McRobbie has said the university plans to withdraw immediately as an ASA institutional member.

But at least seven Purdue professors have in the past favored a boycott of Israeli academic institutions by signing onto the United States Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel.