Gothamist: Columbia University Mulls Bias Report Findings

Anna

Mon, 04 Apr 2005 10:10:05 -0500

In Spring 2001 I dropped a class with Prof. Massad (Palestinian and Israeli Politics, Culture and Society) precisely because the atmosphere was so combative. But it wasn't Massad--it was all the students (most of them Frum) who seemed to be in the class only to snicker and dispute all his points. Though Massad was an engaging teacher he did, understandably, get defensive. I agree that during my time at Columbia the campus was about as far from anti-semitic as I can imagine. Being anti-semitic and condemning Israeli politics are two different things, I think? It was the latter that was the problem, at times, but at no point did I ever get the impression that the campus was overwhelmed even with anti-Israel sentiment. This whole thing makes me very sad.

crackah

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 20:50:42 -0500

The ad hoc findings are disturbing. In a way, they are rolling over for an ultra-right wing group that's only aim is to take down any dissenting voices on foreign policy in the Middle East. Columbia is very friendly to pro-Israel points of view as evidenced by it's departments, it's programmes, it's student groups and even the flyering on the bulletin boards in the halls and from what I can gather from people in the class at the time, the whole case against Professor Massad is entirely made up. The only high point in this nonsense is the much needed verbal spanking that the TA gave to Ariel Beery of the David Project on WNYC on Friday.

Bubba

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 10:41:30 -0500

Totally agree with the previous two posts. I am also a graduate of Columbia - and it's gotten to the point that any mention of Jews, Israel, etc, no matter how innocuous, is contrued as being anti-semetic. I guess if the school was found to not be anti-semetic, then the adminstration wasn't looking hard enough...

Mariam

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 17:48:45 -0500

I agree with the above comment - I graduated from Columbia last year and the idea of the school being anti-Semitic is a complete joke. The Jewish population at the school is so enormous, and they have such close-knit ties, there is no way they could ever feel threatened. Hillel is huge there. A few MEALAC professors say some dumb comments about Israel and suddenly the David Project is involved? Give me a break.

gmafb

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 16:28:12 -0500

first let me say that i am not defending the actions of these professors if they were indeed true (which I think no one will know for certain), and i don't question the recommnedation for a better grievance procedure, BUT-- as a recent former columbia student (who is neither jewish nor middle eastern nor has any particular political opinions on the middle east) who was in attendance during the time when all of these events were said to have happened, all i can say is- columbia, anti-semitic? as an institution or as an environment? give me a fucking break.