Complaint to the Council of the Princeton University Community
Re: Defamation of John Witherspoon by the Princeton & Slavery Project on University IT Systems
Open Letter
Via Email
April 30, 2023
Ms. Christine Gage
Secretary of the Council
Council of the Princeton University Community
Re: Defamation of John Witherspoon by the Princeton & Slavery Project on University IT Systems
Secretary Gage:
Pursuant to Princeton University Rights, Rules, Responsibilities 1.9.3.1, I file this complaint before the Council of the Princeton University Community.
Commencing approximately November 2017 and continuing to my filing of this complaint today, the Princeton & Slavery Project has published “John Witherspoon” on a Princeton University website (the “Essay”). As explained in my recent opinion “Witherspoon’s Defamation by the Princeton & Slavery Project” and, also, in my letter of April 28, 2023 to Project Director Professor Martha A. Sandweiss, I believe the Essay to be defamatory.
Specifically, I believe the Essay to violate the Section 3.c of “Acceptable Use Policy For Princeton University Information Technology & Digital Resources” as relates to University “IT Systems” (as defined therein). Section 3.c states, in part, “From any location, University resources may not be used to transmit . . . defamatory content.” Let me emphasize that my complaint does not rest on issues of malice or intent, but rather goes to issues of whether the Essay misrepresents the truth and the effects of such misrepresentations on others. I further note that to the extent it defames, the Essay does not fall within the University’s free speech protections, as is made explicitly clear in the exception for defamation set forth in the “Statement on Freedom of Expression” in Section 1.1.3 of the University’s Rights, Rules, Responsibilities.
In the Section immediately preceding – “Academic Integrity” – the University itself properly emphasizes, “The ability of the University to achieve its purposes depends upon the quality and integrity of the academic work that its faculty, staff, and students perform. Academic freedom can flourish only in a community of scholars which recognizes that intellectual integrity, with its accompanying rights and responsibilities, lies at the heart of its mission.”
I ask that the University forthwith commence a full investigation into this matter, with applicable subsequent actions and measures, including restorative justice not simply for the name of John Witherspoon but, moreover, for the members of the Princeton University community and public at large whose trust in the Princeton & Slavery Project has been betrayed by this Essay.
In order to facilitate the integrity of this investigation, I further ask that the University implement immediate and full measures to identify, preserve and maintain all potentially relevant records – electronic and otherwise – that may pertain to this matter.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
William E. Hewitt
Princeton Class of 1974
CC: Jay Dominick, VP for Information Technology & CIO