Middle East studies in the News

Joseph Massad: The Sequel?

by Little Liverbird
The BWOG (by the staff of The Blue and White, Columbia U. undergraduate magazine)
June 2, 2008

http://www.bwog.net/articles/joseph_massad_the_sequel

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/5198

As one commenter pointed out, this week's New York Magazine Daily Intelligencer section features a short piece that references an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education that speculates that Joseph Massad might be up for a second round of tenure review. Both the New York piece and the Chronicle piece have no on-the-record information to indicate such, though Columbia PR director cryptically explained that "it is consistent with our review process that cases sometimes extend beyond a single academic year or committee." In addition, the Chronicle piece quotes Cary Nelson, president of the American Association of University Professors, as saying "that while it is 'highly unusual' for a university to establish a second ad hoc review committee, 'it seems to me a good thing in this case, if questions have been raised about the decision making.'"

According to the Chronicle article -- which is only able to be read with a subscription but was luckily forwarded to Bwog in full by tipster David Judd -- "[Alan Brinkley's] decision [to deny Massad tenure] followed what professors describe as a narrow [3-2] vote in favor of Mr. Massad by an ad hoc committee of five scholars who judged his tenure file. When the provost subsequently rejected the bid, professors say, the decision prompted an angry letter from senior faculty members at Columbia who support Mr. Massad. They apparently have persuaded the provost to reconsider the case and give the professor the unusual opportunity of a second chance at tenure at Columbia."

Note: Articles listed under "Middle East studies in the News" provide information on current developments concerning Middle East studies on North American campuses. These reports do not necessarily reflect the views of Campus Watch and do not necessarily correspond to Campus Watch's critique.

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