New University Slighted
Daniel Habuki
To The Editor:
Martin Snyder's column in the March-April Academe on Soka University of America—a college not yet two years in existence—reflects ignorance of both our university's history and the unique educational niche the university is attempting to create.
Our newly born institution is working to refine its own mission within the context of the well-established system of higher education and, concurrently, to respond to the needs and desires of a small student body that hails from twenty-four countries. There is, of necessity, a plethora of diverse interests among the faculty, students, and administrators. Snyder presents only one of many opinions without even attempting to discover the broader academic presence at the university.
The majority of the university's faculty and staff are not affiliated with the Buddhist organization that gave founding impetus to the university. Twenty of our twenty-eight full-time faculty members embrace other religions or religious points of view. Moreover, since opening in fall 2001, the university has had an 86 percent faculty retention rate and a 96 percent student retention rate.
More to the heart of the matter, Snyder oversteps his prerogative of opinion in attempting to forecast the philosophical foundation upon which this institution should build. This is a key point at which Snyder's assertions go astray in trying to label the university "sectarian." The lifeblood of this school springs from Buddhist philosophy and not religion. There is not, and there will never be, religious instruction in Buddhism. There is not, and there will never be, quotas for Soka Gakkai members in faculty hiring or student admission. This institution always will seek to recruit qualified faculty and students who, regardless of their respective religious beliefs, share a common vision regarding the university.
That vision is, ultimately, a vision for world peace. It expresses itself in the consideration faculty show the university's students and in the trust, in turn, that our students develop toward their academic mentors. This vision is grounded in the humanistic belief that people are worthy of respect. Therefore, the university stands for tolerance, academic and personal freedom, the flowering of culture, and the essential value of wisdom and knowledge.
Any legitimate debate over the university's future should be based on these philosophical touchstones. While we are certain about the ultimate destination toward which we "sail," we trust that thoughtful people will allow us some time to find the proper and most direct tack, just as we expect them to want to engage in open and direct dialogue with us if they have concerns about the tack we have taken when wind and current buffet us.
Daniel Habuki
President
Soka University of America
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