Editing Amherst College (section)

===Academic freedom debate===
The writings of Amherst College political science Professor [[Hadley Arkes]] about [[homosexuality]] led to a dispute in 2013 over whether a college seeking to create a diverse, respectful academic community should speak out when a faculty member disparages community members or should instead remain silent as a way to protect academic freedom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldmag.com/2015/04/hadley_arkes_the_right_stuff|title=WORLD {{!}} Hadley Arkes: The right stuff {{!}} Marvin Olasky {{!}} April 18, 2015|website=WORLD|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924063135/http://www.worldmag.com/2015/04/hadley_arkes_the_right_stuff|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The issue arose when a group of alumni petitioned the college trustees and President [[Carolyn Martin|Biddy Martin]] to "dissociate the institution" from Arkes's "divisive and destructive" views,<ref name="terrasirradient.org">[http://terrasirradient.org/2013/10/18/petition-to-cullen-murphy-chair-of-amherst-college-board-of-trustees/ Petition to the Amherst College board of trustees | Amherst Against Homophobia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103073131/http://terrasirradient.org/2013/10/18/petition-to-cullen-murphy-chair-of-amherst-college-board-of-trustees/ |date=November 3, 2013 }}. Terrasirradient.org (October 18, 2013). Retrieved on 2014-04-12.</ref> focusing particularly on his May 2013 comparison of homosexuality to [[bestiality]], [[pedophilia]] and [[necrophilia]].<ref>[http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/the-supreme-court-hears-the-cases-on-marriage.html The Supreme Court Hears the Cases on Marriage] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102194952/http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2013/the-supreme-court-hears-the-cases-on-marriage.html |date=November 2, 2013 }}. Thecatholicthing.org (March 26, 2013). Retrieved on 2014-04-12.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amherstmuckrake.com/category/arkes/|title=Arkes {{!}} The Amherst Muck-Rake|website=amherstmuckrake.com|access-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025114410/http://amherstmuckrake.com/category/arkes/|archive-date=October 25, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The alumni said, "Amherst College cannot credibly maintain its professed commitment to be an inclusive community as long as it chooses to remain silent while a sitting professor disparages members of its community in media of worldwide circulation and accessibility."<ref name="terrasirradient.org" />

Martin disagreed, citing past debates over the college's position on the [[Vietnam War]] and [[apartheid]] in South Africa—issues on which the college initially remained silent but eventually took a public position. In such times, she said, colleges should "avoid taking institutional positions on controversial political matters, except in extraordinary circumstances" and should simultaneously both "protect their communities from discrimination and disrespect" and "cherish a diversity of viewpoints".<ref>[https://www.amherst.edu/aboutamherst/president/reflections President's Reflections | Amherst College] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106021848/https://www.amherst.edu/aboutamherst/president/reflections |date=November 6, 2013 }}. Amherst.edu. Retrieved on April 12, 2014.</ref>

[[File:Kirby amherst.jpg|thumb|right|230x230px|The Kirby Memorial Theater]]