UMass Amherst Supports an Honorary Degree for Andrew Card

We, the undersigned students, faculty, and staff of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, respectfully disagree with graduate students in requesting that all relevant University administrators and administrative bodies, including but not limited to University President, the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, and the Dean of the Graduate School, immediately revoke the offer of an honorary degree to Andrew H. Card, Jr., former White House Chief of Staff from 2000 to 2006.

Their cited reasons express little more than their sophomoric contempt for the Bush administration. Additionally, their intent is to use this prestigious institution as a platform for their own political aims. It is our sincere belief that to revoke the offer that has already been made will do little more than to put the University in a negative light. It is of the utmost importance that the University conducts itself within the highest standards of honor and dignity, and not break with 144 years of tradition.