Chancellor Drake didn't tell the full truth at Shir HaMa'alot; some might say he lied

At the Chancellor Drake town hall forum two nights ago, the Chancellor was asked if he said the "one person's hate speech is another person's educational speech" statement. Click here for links to the full audio of the event

The audio of this specific question and the Chancellor's response is here

So how did the Chancellor answer the question?

The Chancellor chose to do a joke about being photo-shopped and simply denied saying the statement.

But where did that statement come from, and was the Chancellor's answer truthful?

Reut Cohen's article "Jewish Students Discuss Vandalism With Chancellor" attributes Vice Chancellor Manuel Gomez with saying that statement:

"Gomez emphasized that though hate speech may be present, he would not seek to curtail it, as 'one person's hate speech is another person's education.'"

But the Chancellor WAS in the room:

"More than a dozen Jewish student leaders met with Chancellor Michael Drake and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Manuel Gomez on Wednesday, October 18 [2006] to discuss the recent anti-Semitic vandalism here amidst a broader discussion about how Jewish students feel they are treated."

The Chancellor had full opportunity last night to say "ok, that was said by a member of my administration. I want to apologize for the hurt it caused. I'm sorry."

Some might call the Chancellor's response - a joke with a simple denial - LYING.

It was also unbecoming of a leader of a top-notch university whose opening remarks included statements about SEEKING THE TRUTH.

Now permit me to note this too:

If Chancellor Drake was a student, not telling the full truth - some would call it lying - would violate UC campus policy (not just UCI, the policy of ALL UCs).

Specifically #102.02, which covers all dishonesty outside the classroom, including furnishing false information:

102.00 Grounds for Discipline

Chancellors may impose discipline for the commission or attempted commission (including aiding or abetting in the commission or attempted commission) of the following types of violations by students, as well as such other violations as may be specified in campus regulations:
...
102.01 All forms of academic misconduct including but not limited to cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or facilitating academic dishonesty.

102.02 Other forms of dishonesty including but not limited to fabricating information, furnishing false information, or reporting a false emergency to the University.