Middle East studies in the News

Joseph Massad Can Relax

The Bwog (Columbia University)
July 1, 2009

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

http://www.campus-watch.org/article/id/7559

In April, we reported that rumors both on campus and in print were suggesting that Professor Joseph Massad would soon be granted tenure. Now, everyone's favorite tabloid/monitor-of-all-Columbia-controversies, the New York Post, reports (via HuffPo) that Massad has been granted tenure. In an article neutrally-entitled "Columbia Tenures An Israel Basher," columnist Jacob Gershman writes that Columbia "officially -- if quietly -- awarded Massad tenure earlier this month."

Gershman then runs through the many controversies that Massad has been involved in in his time in Morningside, before adding two new plot points. First, he calls Dean of Arts and Sciences Nicholas Dirks a "key ally" for Massad in getting an uncommon--though not unheard of--second tenure review. Second, Gershman alleges that "President Lee Bollinger and Provost Alan Brinkley took extraordinary measures to protect the secrecy of Massad's tenure case and guard against an outcry from Jewish alumni and donors," including shielding the names of tenure committee members from the Board of Trustees.

University spokesman Robert Hornsby did not comment to Bwog, citing the "longstanding policy" of no comment on tenure cases. While no complaints at the faculty level have made their way back to Bwog's ears (yet), several MEALAC students told Bwog in April that, contrary to Massad's first tenure review, far fewer details were leaking about the tenure process, and there appear to be fewer leaks to the media as well. Whatever makes the faculty happy.

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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