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UCSD professor apologizes for web site slur# i( i% B$ [: {* ?+ d/ H
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May 24, 2011 7 y; V1 v( F5 I1 ~" ] % A2 P* B/ Z8 t' Y; G* X+ yClifford Kubiak, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of California San Diego, has posted an apology for an offensive term that was used on his laboratory’s website.: {8 {) v6 `; j' V" k4 j C. A, h
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In a list of “lab rules,” apparently meant to be humorous, there was the phrase: “Don’t believe anything the Chinaman says.”, F3 N" |' T5 q! M! t( R
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The existence of the web page was disclosed on an Internet forum for Chinese speaking academics. " E" m9 g% {; e- x5 D4 s5 u1 p6 u+ M) w( B4 z$ M( g* u
University officials took the site down as soon as they learned of it and issued an apology late Monday. . N9 ?; e$ J: ~( i 0 s$ g. x7 H" s' v( pKubiak’s message, posted on his lab website, reads:/ G7 T- L& l* n/ `. j% x8 _
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“Please accept my personal and sincere apologies for the insensitive language recently found on my laboratory’s website. I find the language offensive and I am embarrassed by the poor judgment exhibited in posting the offending language. Although I was unaware of the existence of this page until it was brought to my attention, I accept full responsibility. I have taken steps to remove the offending language and will arrange for appropriate training for my research group and me relative to the UCSD Principles of Community.”
