On January 27, 2014, the University of Iowa American Studies Department met to discuss the ramifications of the American Studies Association’s decision to boycott Israeli academic institutions and evaluate our own standing as a departmental member of the ASA. As a diverse collection of interdisciplinary scholars, we hold different positions on the ASA’s decision to boycott.  After an extended discussion of pros and cons, we decided to retain our departmental membership in the ASA.  While we understand that some of our colleagues may decline to renew their individual memberships, our departmental membership is a professional matter.  In keeping with the standards required for hiring, promotion and tenure at Iowa and other research institutions, faculty members and graduate students are expected to attend conferences and make presentations at conventions held by scholarly organizations such as the American Studies Association, the Modern Language Association (MLA), the American Historical Association (AHA), and the North American Society for the Study of Sport History (NASSH).  We often attend and present at such conventions. We value our ties to the larger American studies community. We believe remaining an active member of the ASA is a more effective way to influence its future.

Additional Information

On December 4, the ASA posted the official statement on the boycott on their webpage.

Read the ASA statement here: https://www.theasa.net/about/advocacy/resolutions-actions/resolutions/boycott-israeli-academic-institutions

During a 10-day online referendum on the ASA’s National Council’s recommendation to boycott, 1,252 votes were cast. 66.05 percent endorsed the boycott; 30.5 percent voted against it; and 3.43 percent abstained.  The ASA’s announced boycott sparked considerable controversy across college and university campuses, and several American Studies departments have cancelled their institutional memberships. On January 3, 2014, University of Iowa President Sally Mason endorsed a statement from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities opposing the boycott, on the grounds that it threatened academic freedom. In reference to the UI Department of American Studies, President Mason added “I will respect whatever position they decide to take.”

Read President Mason’s statement here: https://now.uiowa.edu/2014/01/mason-signs-aplu-statement-opposing-boycott-israeli-universities