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UCSD professor apologizes for web site slur/ K+ ~0 W1 C2 V! [' K
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May 24, 2011 1 c: `$ w7 @4 k) S3 { ' n2 T# C: n6 O: s9 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. ) v$ y6 k! L, d. K, d, F% Y/ K" U: n, i9 d z! E
In a list of “lab rules,” apparently meant to be humorous, there was the phrase: “Don’t believe anything the Chinaman says.”0 \; |. K" X% G- C9 X8 J+ n1 R
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The existence of the web page was disclosed on an Internet forum for Chinese speaking academics.' M& |* ]5 ^( [" g: a
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University officials took the site down as soon as they learned of it and issued an apology late Monday. 0 B, t" i8 W0 ^9 p' ^ 4 W3 G5 _9 b' b3 G+ t; KKubiak’s message, posted on his lab website, reads:: K" Z( c9 W; r$ C4 ^1 ^: _
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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.”
