Dear Chancellor Wise: Yesterday you heard from Norway, Kenya, France, Germany, Indonesia, Spain, Australia, Poland, India, Austria, Pakistan, UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and Oman. Today, I am forwarding a few comments for your perusal from residents of Illinois, skimmed from over 14,000 signatories: Matt Schierer LINCOLN, IL As a student at the university, I support an environment that is tolerant of of differing opinions and encourages the free flow of ideas. I think it is wrong for the university to punish Mr. Salaita for his political views. This is a decision that is unfounded in his ability to teach and is therefore reprehensible. Please reinstate Mr. Salaita. Amanda Karkula CHICAGO, IL as an alum, I am ashamed of my alma mater's refusal to stand up to bigotry and racism. This is UIUC's chance to take a stand after all the apathy related to our past racist mascot. Reinstate Steven Salaita, and for once, stand WITH the faculty of the American Indian Studies Program. Asma Khan BOLINGBROOK, IL I was thinking of sending my son to this university. Maybe not! Amber Woolsey CHAMPAIGN, IL NOT IN MY TOWN! NOT FROM MY ALMA MATER! Robert Archambeau LAKE FOREST, IL Freedom of speech is not to be limited to those instances we find pleasant in tone and acceptable in content. Robert Bunting CHICAGO, IL I am an alumni of UIUC and find this appalling behavior for a world class university Laney Ontiveros BLOOMINGTON, IL Representing divergent points of view is what academia should be about, not protecting fiscal interests or perpetuating Western bias. Mohammad Jaber SAVOY, IL I am a student at the University of Illinois, so I deserve to have some say when my own university fires a professor for standing for what he believes in. Roxane Assaf CHICAGO, IL I lost my job teaching "Palestine/Israel: US Media Myths Dispelled" and am done with the intimidation tactics and chilling effect on me and my fellow journalists and academics Eliza Yanik URBANA, IL A University, of all places, should be tolerant to the expressions of learned scholars in the field and supportive of posts that fight against genocidal foreign policies. What message does this decision send to the academic community? That expression is only acceptable if is supports "the winning side" ??? Joel Finkel CHICAGO, IL Jewish Voice for Peace--Chicago, My tax dollars support the University of Illinois and I demand academic freedom and freedom of speech. David Amerson CHAMPAIGN, IL Because I am an alum, and because I am a human being. John Kenealy URBANA, IL As a recent UIUC alumnus, I find the politically motivated termination of Dr. Steven Salaita, following so closely the similarly politically motivated termination of Professor Kilgore, to create a chilling atmosphere antipathetic to free speech and academic freedom. I am disappointed and embarrassed that my alma mater dismisses so casually the bedrock of open intellectual pursuit. Karen Kampwirth GALESBURG, IL Dear Dr. Wise, As a college professor I am dismayed that you would consider withdrawing a job offer, which seems to be the equivalent of firing Professor Salaita, due to his political views. I hope his position will be restored quickly, so as to restore the good reputation of the University of Illinois. Sincerely, Karen Kampwirth Robert W. Murphy Professor of Political Science Knox College Matthew Murrey URBANA, IL I have not read Dr. Salaita's books and articles, and do not care for the tone and content of some of his Tweets, BUT, as an alum of the UIUC, I am appalled at the revocation of his employment at the UIUC by Chancellor Wise. I am also completely opposed to the violent and criminal actions of the state of Israel against the inhabitants of the occupied territories, and think that this latest UIUC action reflects an anti-Palestinian bias and ideology on the part of the UIUC board and Chancellor - something that is unacceptable in an academic university. Razan Dafalla BRIDGEVIEW, IL UIC is my Alma Mater. I expect more from my institution that hails as one of the most diverse universities in the nation. We call upon you in the strongest terms to reverse your scandalous decision regarding Professor Steven Salaita immediately. Sincerely,