Rice, UH to Host `Bell Curve’ Symposium

RICE, UH TO HOST `BELL CURVE’ SYMPOSIUM

Of the seven original groups participating in a symposium on the
Bell Curve, a controversial book linking intelligence to race, five
have withdrawn, including Texas Southern University, The Phi Beta
Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Houston, The National Urban
League, the NAACP, and the Houston Chapter of the American Jewish
Committee.

But Rice University and University of Houston officials agreed
today to continue with plans to host a symposium dealing with the
book, The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American
Life, written by Charles Murray and the late Richard Herrnstein.

The program, entitled “The Bell Curve: A Symposium on the Role
of Intelligence in American Life,” will be held on Oct. 11-12. The
symposium will open on the Rice campus and move to the University of
Houston on the second day.

A wide range of speakers, including the book’s author and some
of the nation’s leading psychologists, academicians, business and
civic leaders, are scheduled to participate in the program.

“Rice agreed to participate in the conference for two reasons:
first, because of the caliber of organizations involved; second,
because reasoned debate on controversial issues is part of a
university’s special responsibility,” said Rice President Malcolm
Gillis.

“Despite the withdrawal of some of the organizers, Rice and UH
are proper venues for such a discussion. We appreciate the Houston
Chapter of the American Jewish Committee for continuing its
financial support of the program,” Gillis said.

“As a major institution, the University of Houston has an
obligation to take a leading role in fostering the open exchange of
ideas in an appropriate academic environment,” says UH President
Glenn A. Goerke. “This commitment must include all topics, even when
they are unpopular. Universities share a long tradition of providing
a forum for open discussion which moves us as a society forward in a
positive direction.”

Questions concerning the schedule of panel discussions should be
directed to either Kathryn Costello, vice president for university
advancement at Rice at (713) 527-4650, or Fran Howell, assistant
director of the office of media relations, UH at (713) 743-8153.