In a recent social media post, billionaire and Harvard graduate Bill Ackman demanded the resignation of three prestigious university presidents after they failed to condemn the calls for the genocide of Jews on their campuses. Ackman criticized the universities’ diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, suggesting that the presidents were selected based on these criteria rather than their qualifications.
Ackman, the CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, expressed his concerns about narrowing candidate pools based on race, gender, and sexual orientation criteria. He argued that this approach is not suitable for identifying the best leaders for prestigious universities and may result in individuals obtaining positions they would not have otherwise.
The comments from Ackman came after Harvard President Dr. Claudine Gay, UPenn President Liz Magill, and MIT President Dr. Sally Kornbluth appeared at a House committee hearing on the rise of antisemitism on college campuses. During the hearing, all three presidents refused to acknowledge that calling for the genocide of Jews breached their institutions’ rules and amounted to harassment. Ackman publicly called for their resignation, stating that they should “resign in disgrace.”
The universities, particularly Harvard, have faced criticism for inadequately addressing antisemitic protests that occurred on their campuses following the Hamas terrorist attacks and the Israel-Hamas war. Ackman had previously sent letters to President Gay expressing his concerns about antisemitism, free speech, and the impact of the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (OEDIB) at Harvard. He also noted that his previous message had not received a response or acknowledgment.
Harvard has also been under scrutiny for its use of affirmative action in admissions as part of its DEI policies. The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that Harvard’s race-based admissions system was unconstitutional. Ackman argued that the DEI movement has gone too far and compared it to the McCarthy era, suggesting that it suppresses free speech and leads to career-ending accusations of racism for those who question it.
The calls for resignation and the criticism of DEI policies have sparked a debate about the balance between promoting diversity and ensuring meritocracy in prestigious universities. Ackman’s outspoken stance on the issue has garnered attention and support from those who share his concerns.
Overall, this incident highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing antisemitism on college campuses and the complexities surrounding diversity and inclusion initiatives in academic institutions.
