Professor says the university has ‘ fresh home’ to reduce antisemitism
Hunter College in New York is reworking its” Arab Studies” job posting after an attempt from the government.
The City University of New York university initially sought a professor with a focus on” settler colonialism, genocide, individual rights, racism, migration, environment and infrastructure disaster, health, race, sex, and sexuality”, according to the news. The work posting even asked for a “record of common commitment and group action”.
That will no longer journey after Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered the school to take down the original posting.
” Governor Hochul has directed CUNY to quickly eliminate this task posting and do a thorough assessment of the position to ensure that racist theories are not promoted in the classroom”, a spokesperson told the media. The job posting went up around the same moment the Professional Staff Congress rescinded its call to boycott Israel after only a month.  , A resigned court’s investigation into the CUNY program. undertaken at the demand of Gov. Hochul, recently flagged several issues of antisemitism.
The College Fix reached out via message to the associate vice president for contacts at Hunter College, Vince DiMiceli, to ask for a response to the criticism that the institution is taking a position on the Israel-Palestine issue.
The Fix reached out to Hunter College’s Director of Human Resources Gowrie Kamintzky via email and phone to ask if the college plans to create an alternate job description for the location, but has not received a response. Nevertheless, The Nation reported that a new job posting has been submitted for approval and “faculty are also determined” to use for the place.
Sociology Professor Heba Gowayed announced the swarm get on social media on Feb. 24, calling it an “incredible source of pride” and “one of the many factors that I feel so lucky to work here”.
The news gradually drew criticism from college leadership– but one CUNY professor told The College Fix more needs to be done to source out more problems in the system.
Jeffrey Lax, a CUNY law professor and founder of an organization dedicated to combating antisemitism within the public college system, expressed concern over the board of trustees ‘ approval of an “abhorrent” curriculum to support the hire.
” They’re the most classic]antisemitic ] tropes of the modern time and developing a curriculum like that is abhorrent and should never have gone through”, Lax told The Fix in an interview.
According to the university’s guidelines for new program approval, proposed courses are evaluated by the college, the Board of Trustees and the state.
Lax criticized Board of Trustees Chair William Thompson for his hypocritical behavior regarding the hire.
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Following the governor’s criticism, Thompson and Chancellor Félix Matos Rodriguez released a joint statement” strongly” agreeing with her position.
” We find this language divisive, polarizing and inappropriate and strongly agree with Governor Hochul’s direction to remove this posting, which we have ensured Hunter College has since done”, Thompson and Matos stated.
“CUNY will continue working with the Governor and other stakeholders to tackle antisemitism on our campuses and combat hate in all of its forms”, the pair said.
Lax commented on Thompson’s role in the approval of the curriculum and believes he should be fired for his actions.
” If you are approving despicable, hateful curriculum like that, you need to go”, Lax said. “You’re really not qualified to lead an institution of higher learning if that’s the kind of curriculum that you’re approving”.
” The ad itself only revealed what the hateful curriculum had within it”, Lax told The Fix.
Lax believes the only way to resolve the widespread antisemitism on campus is to get rid of the university’s leadership.
” I don’t think you can have any safety for Jewish people at the university until they clean house”, Lax told The Fix.
As part of a cluster hire in Palestinian Studies, Hunter College is looking to hire an anti-Israel activist.
A new job ad calls for an expert in” settler colonialism, genocide, human rights, apartheid, migration, climate and infrastructure devastation, health, race, gender and … pic. twitter.com/X3lzpq1R06
— Steve McGuire ( @sfmcguire79 ) February 24, 2025
Steven McGuire, a fellow in campus freedom at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, criticized Hunter College’s attempt to hire” close-minded ideologues who will advance a predetermined political agenda.”
” Stressing that the ideal candidate should have a history of activism is especially galling, as universities should seek to hire scholars who are open to questions rather than activists who are accustomed to making demands,” McGuire told The Fix via email.
McGuire sees the university’s actions as part of a trend in higher education.
” Treating America’s institutions of higher education as bases for political operations has done great damage to them, as it has led to both public distrust and political opposition,” McGuire said.
He said the college should focus on informing students rather than” hiring ideological activists to engage in more of the intolerant, anti-Israel, and antisemitic behavior that has been on display at the college and elsewhere.”
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IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks to the public during an event. Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.
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