We recently discussed the controversy surrounding postings by June Chu, dean of the school’s Pierson College, on Yelp. She was called classist for such comments as “This establishment is definitely not authentic by any stretch of any imagination and perfect for those low class folks who believe this is a real night out.” Chu has now been fired by the university in a move that makes many academics feel uncomfortable over the monitoring of their statements outside of school in social media.
Continue reading “Yale Sacks Dean Over “Classist” and “Insensitive” Yelp Reviews”
We have previously discussed the erosion of free speech rights in high schools as well as the expansion of discipline for students for discussions and postings outside of school. That conflict was vividly shown in Pennsylvania where Peter Butera was speaking to the graduating class of his high school when he criticized the lack of power in student government. The response from Principal Jon Pollard was swift. Butera’s mike was cut off and he was escorted stage.
There is an interesting free speech controversy in Florida where Vero Beach High School junior J.P. Krause won the election for class president only to be told that he would be retroactively disqualified. The reason was his tongue-in-cheek campaign speech using Trump slogans. Vero High Principal Shawn O’Keefe accused Krause of harassing an opponent with his speech invoking President Trump’s proposed border wall. The 
There is an interesting article in the Washington Post entitled “
The latest data from the California Department of Education indicates that three out of four African-American failed to meet reading and writing standards. We have previously discussed how our schools continue to fail to educate minority students despite large budgetary allotments. The problem is clearly money. I have long advocated more funding but schools must also be held accountable for this appalling performance. These kids are entering society with a huge disadvantage in seeking employment and advancement.
Albany Law Professor Stephen Clark
We previously discussed the proposal at Evergreen State College to have all white faculty, staff, and students leave campus for a day as part of a “Day of Absence” to raise awareness of the contribution of the black community. 
We have been discussing the rapid erosion of free speech on our campuses and the increasing confrontations with students who bar speech with which they disagree. The result is that schools are caving into academic demands made by students, including incidents like the 
Yale has been the focus of rising concerns over academic freedom and the treatment of faculty after the appearing of a disturbing videotape showing Yale students abusing Professor Nicholas Christakis who sought to have a civil conversation over an email written by Christakis’ wife. Two of the students who were most vocal in this controversial confrontation have now reportedly been honored with the 
There was a disturbing story out of South Orange, New Jersey recently where a group of 
We have been discussing the erosion of free speech in England with an ever expanding range of criminalized speech. Individuals and groups now regularly call police to charge people who say anything deemed offensive or insulting to a race, religion, or group. It appears suicide bomber Salman Abedi was among the outraged insulted and filed a complaint with his school over an “