4 G4 k/ w3 f- P2 I# t: W% IUCSD professor apologizes for web site slur 6 Z# m6 M5 Y4 x: A4 H0 @5 b $ x; \7 x+ G& _; iMay 24, 2011# _# `+ ]6 i; W, z3 D4 ]( U
- \# {# z1 `4 z7 p+ Q# f! F. h
Clifford 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. 3 n0 h4 P/ j% b3 G6 k" d; l) K0 |! g* I8 T5 E) t
In a list of “lab rules,” apparently meant to be humorous, there was the phrase: “Don’t believe anything the Chinaman says.”7 D& L8 a; M2 m5 t: h
" ^+ e8 L+ |5 I: FThe existence of the web page was disclosed on an Internet forum for Chinese speaking academics.5 w" x" u5 E& I- y* t
6 z, }- u7 v- x/ ~8 I; tUniversity officials took the site down as soon as they learned of it and issued an apology late Monday. " b( `8 \ k9 J3 Q/ W% `) b5 g3 ^/ Q: ?, v% ^0 W! @1 J
Kubiak’s message, posted on his lab website, reads: 4 `1 W5 \& J0 l# e+ T7 T* o7 K# b
“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.”
