Shots In The Dark: Harvard...Doesn't Sign Petitions

Friday, August 10, 2024

Harvard...Doesn't Sign Petitions

That's the explanation for Drew Faust's decision to send a private letter regarding the absurd British boycott of Israeli academics, rather than sign the full-page ad that appeared in the NYT on Wednesday. (A slightly smaller full page than it used to be, sadly.)

Anyone know what the rationale for the "Harvard doesn't sign petitions" rule is?

Because of course, a private letter has a much lesser impact than a public statement.

Is Harvard afraid that it will be pressured to sign every petition that comes along?

Or does the university just feel that it shouldn't even associate with lesser universities—that it would be bad for "the brand" to do so?

¶ 6:58 AM

Comments:

It's probably because if Harvard doesn't sign something that's presumed to be an implicit veto, as Harvard is deemed to be in the know about current petitions. The current policy allows Harvard to not enter debates in which take either side might be damaging.

# posted by Anonymous : August 10, 2024 9:39 AM

How could it damage Harvard to stand up for academic freedom?

I understand there may be a general principle about petitions...but it's hard to argue against the specifics of this one.

# posted by Richard Bradley : August 10, 2024 9:55 AM

It's pretty disingenuous not to mention in this post that Faust sent a private letter of protest to the British Union "on her second day in charge," as the Globe also reports. We can debate the merits of signing the petition, too, but that's an important piece of information, no?

You should also reconcile how you slammed Summers for making a public cry of anti-Semitism but are now slamming Faust for not making one. They're different scenarios, I know, but isn't the discrepancy worth addressing?

# posted by Mass Ave : August 10, 2024 10:33 AM

The post does mention that Faust sent a private letter...in its first sentence. As far as it being her second day in charge, I don't think that means much, because the issue was probably developing during the months between her announcement and her officially taking over.

# posted by Richard Bradley : August 10, 2024 12:54 PM

Richard,

Have you noticed how fast President Faust has appointed new Deans at several schools? And very good choices too. See the latest appointment at the School of Design.

This President does know what she is doing, whether you notice it or not.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=519432

# posted by Anonymous : August 10, 2024 11:18 PM

And there's a statement on the President's Office website.

# posted by Anonymous : August 13, 2024 7:50 PM

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