University presidents cheer UK decision to keep up Israel ties
Score one for the power of American university presidents. Tufts president Larry Bacow revels in the news that British academics backed off plans to sever relations with Israeli universities because of their concerns about Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
Bacow was one of eight US college presidents who led a petition drive this summer to collect signatures of American college presidents to oppose the proposed boycott. The 286 presidents who signed were listed in a full-page advertisement in The
The University and College Union, which represents British academics, announced late last month that it had decided to shelve the idea of a boycott because it would be unlawful and did not coincide with the union's goals. The British union's attempt to hold Israeli professors accountable for their government's policies offended his and others' sense of fairness, Bacow said.
"It was important to make a stand," he said. "Would any American academic want to be held responsible for the foreign policy of our government?"
PARTY SPAT AT HARVARD: Harvard student leaders and administrators are sparring over a university decision to stop paying for grants that helped foot the bill for booze at on-campus parties.
The student government created the party grants four years ago out of determination to improve social life on campus. The debate over how the money should be used reached a fever pitch this week when university officials froze the Undergraduate Council's funding because the student government defied a dean's orders and continued to dole out money for parties.
By Thursday, the university had eased the funding freeze, agreeing to release money that committees in each House (Harvard lingo for dormitories) use for events. But Harvard kept the freeze on party grants - $17,000 worth each semester - and other student government funding, wanting assurance the money would not pay for alcohol.
Party grants, in students' view, are great equalizers. Richer students can afford their own parties and alcohol, but many students cannot, said Ryan Petersen, the Undergraduate Council president. Without the grants, supported by student activity fees, campus social life will "move into the hands of the privileged and powerful," he said.
Judith Kidd, Harvard College's associate dean for student life and activities, said the party grant system is riddled with problems. Student leaders want to make the parties open to everyone, and the parties have grown too large for on-campus suites.
Also, the university cannot support releasing money for alcohol that could be served to minors, Kidd said.
Petersen said the student government set rules: Party hosts have to be 21 or over and must agree to serve only those of legal drinking age.
"We are still at an unacceptable impasse," he said of student leaders and administration.
UMASS TAPS GOVERNOR FOR AD: In recent years, the University of Massachusetts has tapped celebrity alumni such as Jack Welch and Bill Cosby, as well as celebrated faculty like Nobel Prize-winning professor Craig Mello, for its award-winning television ads.
For its latest advertising campaign, the university is turning to the political realm, hoping Governor Deval Patrick's success in winning votes can translate into attracting applicants, donors, and high-powered faculty.
Starting tomorrow, a new ad starring Patrick hits the airwaves in the Boston and Springfield television markets, just in time to reach high school seniors as they choose where to apply to college. In the spot, titled "Transform," Patrick praises the transformative power of education and touts the success of UMass graduates.
"Education is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It can transform lives, as it certainly transformed mine," Patrick says. "UMass has been the launching pad for so many success stories. Some of the most successful people in the world got their start right here."
Patrick said in a statement he is "committed to doing everything possible to ensure that UMass continues to bring the best students, the most renowned faculty, and the next world-changing ideas to our Commonwealth."
Campus Insider runs on alternate Sundays with Ask the Teacher, an advice column. To submit tips to Campus Insider, e-mail Linda Wertheimer at wertheimer@globe.com and Peter Schworm at schworm@globe.com. 