杜克大學醫(yī)學院被曝歧視華人學生，禁止公開場合使用中文交流
撰文 | 常春藤
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近日，美國杜克大學生物統(tǒng)計系研究生項目負責人、助理教授Megan Neely因?qū)θA人學生有歧視，隨后在網(wǎng)上引起了激烈的熱議。Neely本人也為此付出代價，被勒令辭退項目負責人一職。
事情的大致過程是這樣，這在Neely教授向全系抄送的一份郵件中有所反饋：
近日，Neely收到了該院兩位教授的反饋，說一小部分初入學的中國學生在休息室以及學習區(qū)域大聲地說中文。他們對此感到非常失望，認為學生并沒有把握好機會努力提高英語，而是說中文，這樣的對話對在同一樓層內(nèi)的其他人是非常不禮貌的。
鑒于此，她在郵件中向生物統(tǒng)計系所有國際學生發(fā)生通告，這也是此次矛盾的矛頭指向她的關(guān)鍵。她表示：
請國際學生在用中文交流時要注意這種無意識帶來的后果。我并不清楚你學習非母語的困難，雖然我尊重你們的選擇，但我鼓勵你們在正式的場所，要100%地使用英語來進行交流。
杜克大學醫(yī)學院院長Mary E. Klotman第二天也發(fā)了一份聲明。他表示，對Neely向該院生物統(tǒng)計系國際學生抄送那份郵件進行道歉，并向那些受到傷害的學生進行慰問。他同時宣布，Neely本人也立即被勒令辭退項目負責人一職。
Klotman認為，人與人之間的交流不應該有任何語言方面的限制。杜克大學醫(yī)學院以及生物統(tǒng)計系會尊重每一個學生、每一種文化以及每一種語言。
如下為他的聲明：
Dear Masters of Biostatistics Students,
I am writing to you directly to apologize for the message that was sent yesterday by Professor Megan Neely, the director of graduate studies, regarding the use of Chinese and English in the department.
I understand that many of you felt hurt and angered by this message. To be clear: there is absolutely no restriction or limitation on the language you use to converse and communicate with each other. Your career opportunities and recommendations will not in any way be influenced by the language you use outside the classroom. And your privacy will always be protected.
Please be assured that Duke University, the School of Medicine and the Biostatistics Department respect the value of every student, every culture and every language that is spoken. This rich diversity of cultures and languages at Duke only strengthens our academic community.
I have asked the university’s Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) to conduct a thorough review of the Master’s of Biostatistics Program and to recommend ways in which we can improve the learning environment for students from all backgrounds. In addition, Dr. Neely has asked to step down as director of graduate studies for the master’s program effective immediately and will be replaced by an interim DGS to be named shortly.
We will always be committed to ensuring that you are welcomed and included in every aspect of university life. Sadly, this matter demonstrates that we must continue to work on overcoming deep-seated concerns about our cultural awareness and understanding. We take this challenge seriously and you have my personal pledge that it will be addressed quickly and sensitively.
Sincerely,
Mary E. Klotman
Dean, School of Medicine
