The Fall of Harvard

Claudine Gay, President of Harvard University, has resigned in the wake of her disastrous appearance before Congress and revelations about plagiarism in her academic work.  Obviously, if the reports of plagiarism are true, she absolutely should be removed if she had not resigned.  It is unacceptable that one of the premiere institutions of higher learning in the United States, the world, should be led by a plagiarist.  Now that she has resigned, one must ask how did she get the job?  What sort of vetting was done if a serial plagiarist was chosen?

The DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) movement may be at the root of her selection.  For decades, the demand for diversity has been growing and each time a minority or woman is promoted, there are celebrations in the media.  By contrast, when women and minorities are not promoted, accusations of sexism and racism follow.  Strangely, Asians are not considered a minority in the DEI movement.  There is so much eagerness for diversity that competence has become a secondary concern.

In the last year, Harvard has been exposed for discriminating on the basis of race, failing to condemn antisemitism, and now having a plagiarist for president.  Clearly, it is time to change course.