撰文 | 常春藤

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近日，美国杜克大学生物统计系研究生项目负责人、助理教授Megan Neely因对华人学生有歧视，随后在网上引起了激烈的热议。Neely本人也为此付出代价，被勒令辞退项目负责人一职。

事情的大致过程是这样，这在Neely教授向全系抄送的一份邮件中有所反馈：

近日，Neely收到了该院两位教授的反馈，说一小部分初入学的中国学生在休息室以及学习区域大声地说中文。他们对此感到非常失望，认为学生并没有把握好机会努力提高英语，而是说中文，这样的对话对在同一楼层内的其他人是非常不礼貌的。

鉴于此，她在邮件中向生物统计系所有国际学生发生通告，这也是此次矛盾的矛头指向她的关键。她表示：

请国际学生在用中文交流时要注意这种无意识带来的后果。我并不清楚你学习非母语的困难，虽然我尊重你们的选择，但我鼓励你们在正式的场所，要100%地使用英语来进行交流。

杜克大学医学院院长Mary E. Klotman第二天也发了一份声明。他表示，对Neely向该院生物统计系国际学生抄送那份邮件进行道歉，并向那些受到伤害的学生进行慰问。他同时宣布，Neely本人也立即被勒令辞退项目负责人一职。

Klotman认为，人与人之间的交流不应该有任何语言方面的限制。杜克大学医学院以及生物统计系会尊重每一个学生、每一种文化以及每一种语言。

如下为他的声明：

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