Latest news with #PalestinianStudies
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CUNY rewrites 'Palestinian Studies' job listing after Gov. Hochul's removal order
The City University of New York (CUNY) reposted modified "Palestinian Studies" positions for Hunter College after it was previously ordered to remove a similar job listing by Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. The New York Post reported last month that the original job posting was taken down after Hochul's order and she expressed concerns that the position could promote antisemitism in the classroom. "We seek a historically grounded scholar who takes a critical lens to issues pertaining to Palestine including but not limited to: settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality," part of the listing read. CUNY's Chancellor Felix Matos and Board of Trustees Chairperson William Thompson shared a joint statement at the time in response to the governor's order, stating they "strongly agree" with Hochul's decision, noting that they "find this [posting's] language divisive, polarizing and inappropriate." Gov. Kathy Hochul Demands Cuny Take Down 'Palestinian Studies' Job Posting Over Antisemitism Concerns "CUNY will continue working with the Governor and other stakeholders to tackle antisemitism on our campuses and combat hate in all of its forms," they added. Read On The Fox News App In March, the university announced that it would be reworking and resubmitting the job position because of concerns with the original post's language. Last week, a new posting was added for two professor positions for Palestinian Studies with a new description that did not include references to "genocide" or "settler colonialism." "We are open to diverse theoretical and methodological approaches and seek historically grounded candidates who take a critical lens to issues pertaining to Palestine, who are interested in public-facing work, and who exhibit a commitment to being part of the life of the college, a diverse and dynamic public and majority-minority undergraduate serving institution," the new posting says. The professors are expected to start in the fall and will be placed in the Social Sciences and Humanities divisions. The salary ranges, depending on experience and professor rank, start from $82,928 and go up to $141,858. A spokesperson for Hunter College confirmed to Fox News Digital that the positions were reposted last week to "fill longstanding gaps in the college's curriculum and faculty expertise." Fox News Digital also reached out to CUNY and the governor's office for comment. Jewish Groups, Allies Demand Cuny Law Lose Funding After Student's 'Vile' Anti-israel Commencement Speech CUNY schools have come under fire for how they have handled campus protests in response to the Israel-Hamas war, leading Hochul to launch an independent review of the university's policies shortly after the Oct. 7 attack in 2023. The results of the review were published in September and found the current policies on antisemitism "need to be significantly overhauled and updated in order to handle the levels of antisemitism and discrimination that exist on CUNY's campuses today." Even prior to the Oct. 7 attack, CUNY schools had been accused of promoting antisemitic beliefs, such as voting in favor of a resolution supporting the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement in article source: CUNY rewrites 'Palestinian Studies' job listing after Gov. Hochul's removal order
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CUNY plans to modify 'Palestinian Studies' job posting after New York Gov. Hochul ordered it be taken down
Hunter College in New York City is reworking its "Palestinian Studies" professorship job after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the City University of New York (CUNY) constituent college to take down its posting over antisemitism concerns. "Hunter College took down the job listings following the concerns raised about the language used in the online posting," the college told Fox News Digital when reached for comment. "We will be reviewing the posting process and look forward to adding scholars with expertise in this subject matter to our distinguished faculty." The original posting for the job was taken down, but a screenshot detailed the position, the New York Post reported. "We seek a historically grounded scholar who takes a critical lens to issues pertaining to Palestine including but not limited to: settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality," part of the listing read, Fox News Digital previously reported. The posting went on to explain that the faculty member's duties would have involved "research, teaching and service to the department and college." Dhs Agents Search Two Students' Rooms At Columbia Univeristy, Leaving Intermin President 'Heartbroken' Read On The Fox News App "Governor Hochul has directed CUNY to immediately remove this job posting and conduct a thorough review of the position to ensure that antisemitic theories are not promoted in the classroom," a spokesperson for the governor told The New York Post. "The governor has continued to strongly condemn all forms of antisemitism and has made clear that hateful rhetoric of any kind has no place at CUNY or anywhere in New York State." CUNY's Chancellor Felix Matos and Board of Trustees Chairperson William Thompson shared a joint statement in response to the governor's order, stating they "strongly agree" with Hochul's decision, noting that they "find this [posting's] language divisive, polarizing and inappropriate." "CUNY will continue working with the Governor and other stakeholders to tackle antisemitism on our campuses and combat hate in all of its forms," they added. However, proposed courses are evaluated by the college, the Board of Trustees and the state, according to the university's guidelines for new program approval. The hiring committees at Hunter College have reportedly resubmitted the Palestinian studies job posting, the Nation reported. "Faculty are still determined" to fill the position, according to the report. Before the updated posting can be published, Hunter's dean of diversity and compliance must determine whether the role is consistent with the school's legal antidiscrimination obligations. Actor Michael Rapaport Celebrates Arrest Of 'Terrorist Groupie' Mahmoud Khalil, Says He Was Not 'Kidnapped' Jeffrey Lax, a CUNY law professor and founder of S.A.F.E. Campus, an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism within the public college system, criticized the CUNY trustees' approval of the curriculum in an interview with The College Fix. "They're the most classic [antisemitic] tropes of the modern time and developing a curriculum like that is abhorrent and should never have gone through," he said. Civil Rights Officials Probe Four Us Medical Schools Over Antisemitism At 2024 Commencement Ceremonies Since Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,100 people and sparking a war in the Gaza Strip, antisemitism concerns have dominated the education space. Anti-Israel protests have continually erupted at U.S. colleges with demonstrators shouting their demands for a ceasefire and voicing their vehement opposition to Israel. In February, CUNY rescinded its resolution in support of "Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions" one month after it first passed, The College Fix reported. Fox News Digital's Taylor Penley contributed to this report. Original article source: CUNY plans to modify 'Palestinian Studies' job posting after New York Gov. Hochul ordered it be taken down
Fox News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
CUNY plans to modify 'Palestinian Studies' job posting after New York Gov. Hochul ordered it be taken down
Hunter College in New York City is reworking its "Palestinian Studies" professorship job after New York Gov. Kathy Hochul directed the City University of New York (CUNY) constituent college to take down its posting over antisemitism concerns. "Hunter College took down the job listings following the concerns raised about the language used in the online posting," the college told Fox News Digital when reached for comment. "We will be reviewing the posting process and look forward to adding scholars with expertise in this subject matter to our distinguished faculty." The original posting for the job was taken down, but a screenshot detailed the position, the New York Post reported. "We seek a historically grounded scholar who takes a critical lens to issues pertaining to Palestine including but not limited to: settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality," part of the listing read, Fox News Digital previously reported. The posting went on to explain that the faculty member's duties would have involved "research, teaching and service to the department and college." "Governor Hochul has directed CUNY to immediately remove this job posting and conduct a thorough review of the position to ensure that antisemitic theories are not promoted in the classroom," a spokesperson for the governor told The New York Post. "The governor has continued to strongly condemn all forms of antisemitism and has made clear that hateful rhetoric of any kind has no place at CUNY or anywhere in New York State." CUNY's Chancellor Felix Matos and Board of Trustees Chairperson William Thompson shared a joint statement in response to the governor's order, stating they "strongly agree" with Hochul's decision, noting that they "find this [posting's] language divisive, polarizing and inappropriate." "CUNY will continue working with the Governor and other stakeholders to tackle antisemitism on our campuses and combat hate in all of its forms," they added. However, proposed courses are evaluated by the college, the Board of Trustees and the state, according to the university's guidelines for new program approval. The hiring committees at Hunter College have reportedly resubmitted the Palestinian studies job posting, the Nation reported. "Faculty are still determined" to fill the position, according to the report. Before the updated posting can be published, Hunter's dean of diversity and compliance must determine whether the role is consistent with the school's legal antidiscrimination obligations. Jeffrey Lax, a CUNY law professor and founder of S.A.F.E. Campus, an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism within the public college system, criticized the CUNY trustees' approval of the curriculum in an interview with The College Fix. "They're the most classic [antisemitic] tropes of the modern time and developing a curriculum like that is abhorrent and should never have gone through," he said. Since Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,100 people and sparking a war in the Gaza Strip, antisemitism concerns have dominated the education space. Anti-Israel protests have continually erupted at U.S. colleges with demonstrators shouting their demands for a ceasefire and voicing their vehement opposition to Israel. In February, CUNY rescinded its resolution in support of "Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions" one month after it first passed, The College Fix reported.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New York's governor orders college to remove Palestinian studies job listing
NEW YORK (AP) — New York's governor ordered a state school to remove a job posting for a Palestinian studies teaching position this week, saying she wanted to ensure 'antisemitic theories' would not be taught. The job posting at Hunter College had called for a historian 'who takes a critical lens to issues pertaining to Palestine including but not limited to settler-colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender, and sexuality,' according to screenshots published by the New York Post, which first reported the job announcement. Following the coverage, Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, ordered the City University of New York school to remove the posting 'and conduct a thorough review of the position to ensure that antisemitic theories are not promoted in the classroom,' her office said in a statement. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The CUNY Board of Trustees agreed, and university officials have since removed the posting for a 'Palestinian Studies Cluster Hire,' which was marked as expired on Friday. 'We find this language divisive, polarizing and inappropriate and strongly agree with Governor Hochul's direction to remove this posting," Chairperson William C. Thompson Jr. and Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez, adding they would work "to tackle antisemitism on our campuses and combat hate in all of its forms.' The governor's statement added that no class is being canceled. The CUNY school said it will still hire a relevant expert. 'Hunter College took down the job listings following the concerns raised about the language used in the online posting. We will be reviewing the posting process and look forward to adding scholars with expertise in this subject matter to our distinguished faculty,' the college said in a statement, adding that expertise would include 'Palestinian history, culture, and society.' The Israel-Hamas war that erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, has tested free speech at U.S. colleges. Pro-Palestinian students and their allies launched protests at campuses across the country, demanding schools divest from Israel in demonstrations that resulted in thousands of arrests. Meanwhile, some Jewish students called on administrators to rein in the protests, saying they made them feel unsafe. Campus free speech advocates criticized Hochul's intervention, saying the move hurts academic freedom 'She's setting a terrible precedent,' Robert Shibley, special counsel for campus advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said in an email. 'Involving politicians directly in the process will only further politicize hiring decisions and will undermine academic freedom in public universities across the country.' Another free speech group called on CUNY officials to reverse their decision. 'The posting may have been offensive to some, but it is the right and responsibility of the academic community to confront challenging areas of inquiry through independent research, teaching, and publishing," said Kristen Shahverdian, Campus Free Speech program director at PEN America, in a statement Thursday. PEN, a literary and free expression organization, faced its own protests last year, after a group of pro-Palestinian writers said it did little to 'mobilize' members against the Gaza war, in contrast to forceful protests against the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last month, Israel and Hamas paused the conflict after 15 months of war, in the first phase of a ceasefire that has freed Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid in Gaza. Officials were negotiating Friday on a second phase of the ceasefire.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Hochul facing pushback over removal of Palestinian Studies professor job listing at CUNY
The faculty union at the City University of New York is objecting to Gov. Hochul's order to interrupt the hiring process for a Palestinian Studies professor, saying the move is an overreach of the governor into academic affairs. The planned hiring of the professor at CUNY's Hunter College on the Upper East Side became a flashpoint this week after the New York Post ran a story condemning the job listing, prompting the governor to intervene. Pro-Palestinian protesters had planned to confront the governor Thursday during a planned appearance at CUNY's City College in Harlem, but it was canceled over safety concerns. At nearby Barnard College Wednesday evening, protesters injured a school employee during a brief takeover of a campus building. In a forceful letter to Hochul and CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodriguez, the Professional Staff Congress raised concerns about the governor's involvement — and its implications for academic freedom. 'We oppose antisemitism and all forms of hate, but this move is counterproductive,' wrote James Davis, president of the PSC, in the memo released Wednesday evening. 'It is an overreach of authority to rule an entire area of academic study out of bounds.' Davis pointed to turmoil even within his own union over the war in Gaza — but suggested the solution would involve more education, not less. This year, the PSC both passed, then promptly rescinded, a resolution to divest from Israel. The union head likened Hochul shying away from divisive concepts to 'something devised in Florida,' where the governor there has tried to restrict teaching about race and gender, 'What's needed are inclusive ways of teaching, not canceling concepts and areas of study,' the letter continued. The governor's office deferred to CUNY for comment on the protest, but confirmed the job listing has been removed from their website. It was not immediately clear if the job would be reposted. 'There is no class that is being canceled or pulled,' said Kara Fesolovich, a spokeswoman for Hochul. Meanwhile, a separate group of protesters — unaffiliated with the union — planned to confront Hochul on Thursday afternoon at City College, where she was scheduled to make a workforce-related announcement. Spokesmen for the event and for CUNY confirmed it was called off minutes after it was supposed to begin, which was also supposed to include Rep. Adriano Espaillat, former Congressman Charles Rangel and the CUNY chancellor. 'Due to safety concerns, we made the decision to postpone today's event,' CCNY said in a statement. 'We are very proud of the partnership between the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York and City College's Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative, and we look forward to rescheduling this event soon. On social media, protesters had put out an 'urgent call to action,' calling the governor a 'fascist' whose intervention will 'silence critical scholarship.' 'Hochul and every politician enabling the suppression of Palestinian voices should know they will be confronted wherever they go,' read posts on X and Instagram, by a network of student groups called CUNY4Palestine. Matos Rodriguez, the CUNY chancellor, and chairman of the CUNY Board of Trustees William Thompson have backed Hochul's decision to pull the Hunter College job description. 'We find this language divisive, polarizing and inappropriate,' read a statement on Tuesday, 'and strongly agree with Gov. Hochul's direction to remove this posting, which we have ensured Hunter College has since done.' 'CUNY will continue working with the governor and other stakeholders to tackle antisemitism on our campuses and combat hate in all of its forms.'
