TAUP finds unacceptable the statements by Temple’s Chairman of the Board Patrick O’Connor in response to Professor Marc Lamont Hill’s speech about Israel and Palestine at the United Nations.  Prof. Hill’s remarks are clearly protected by the principles of free speech--as President Englert noted in his message to the Temple community–and by academic freedom, which we are disappointed to find has thus far not been mentioned by Temple’s administration.  We are also deeply disturbed by Chairman O’Connor’s claim that the administration is looking at “what remedies we have” to discipline Prof. Hill.  Prof. Hill is covered by the TAUP contract, which begins with the principles of academic freedom, and which clearly sets out procedures for disciplining faculty members.  We trust that the contract will be followed; if it is not, the administration can count on a vigorous defense by TAUP of Prof. Hill’s rights as set forth in it.