More than 500 Harvard faculty signed a letter supporting its president, Claudine Gay, despite backlash and calls for her dismissal after she failed to denounce calls for the genocide of Jews.
511 faculty members signed a letter Sunday to the Harvard Corporation urging the university to allow Gay to remain in his position — as billboard trucks circled campus with signs reading “Fire Gay.”
The support comes as a statement is expected to be made about Gay’s future, just days after University of Pennsylvania president Liz Magill lost her job over similar testimony that failed to denounce antisemitism, the Harvard Crimson said.
Despite the furor, faculty members said they “urge you strongly to defend the university’s independence and resist political pressures contrary to Harvard’s commitment to academic freedom, including calls to fire President Claudine Gay. “
More than 500 Harvard faculty signed a letter Sunday in support of university president Claudine Gay. AP
“The critical work of defending a culture of independent inquiry in our diverse community cannot continue if we allow its form to be dictated by external forces,” they added in the letter obtained by the student paper.
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The Ivy League leader has faced intense scrutiny after he failed to clearly say that calling for the genocide of Jews would violate school bullying and harassment rules while testifying at a congressional hearing on antisemitism on Tuesday.
History Professor Derek J. Penslar said faculty had mixed views about Gay’s testimony and leadership — but argued that his dismissal should not be influenced by politicians and other outsiders.
A billboard truck calling for Gay’s dismissal circled the Harvard campus on Sunday. X / @AccuracyInMedia
“I do not think that signing this letter is an absolution of the University for its handling of issues involving antisemitism and Islamophobia over the past few months,” Penslar said.
In response to the backlash to his testimony, Gay apologized for his statement.
“I’m sorry. Words matter,” Gay said during an interview with the Harvard Crimson on Thursday.
Palestinian supporters gathered at Harvard. AFP via Getty Images Harvard faculty allegedly have diverse views on Gay’s testimony and leadership — but some argue that his dismissal should not be influenced by politicians and other outsiders. Getty Images
“When words amplify hardship and pain, I don’t know how you can feel anything but regret,” he added.
The Post has reached out to Harvard for comment.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
