A major donor to Cornell University said he will no longer donate if the university continues its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Donors are also calling for the school's president to resign, citing “the recent disgraceful response to apparent acts of terrorism and anti-Semitism.”
“As a proud Cornell University alumnus, donor, member of the Board of Trustees (emeritus), and advisor to the President, it is my belief that Cornell University must abandon its misguided approach to DEI. Opinion, because it led to disgrace instead of excellence,” John A. said. Linseth writes: open letter To Chairman Craig Kaiser and the Board of Directors.
“I am proud to be part of several generations of the Lindseth family of Cornell University alumni and donors, but I am proud to say that my alma mater has lost its way due to its disastrous engagement with DEI policies that permeate every field. I am concerned about the recent decline in the quality of education provided by “universities,'' he added.
Linseth continued, “I have spent years listening to Cornell and its leaders, participating as a student, and learning more about the university's exemplary past, including the library (which I continue to fund). We have sponsored and provided funding for some of these projects.”
“Until the university reshapes its approach to education by replacing DEI groupthink with Cornell’s original and noble intentions, I can no longer make a general contribution,” he added.
Ms. Linseth, who has been one of Cornell University's largest and most prominent donors for decades, has criticized the school's president, Martha E. Pollack, over her response to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. criticized.
“President Pollack's recent shameful response to overt acts of terrorism and anti-Semitism, compared to her swift and strong response to the George Floyd tragedy, makes it clear that Cornell University is no longer interested in discovering and disseminating knowledge.” ”, he wrote, “and instead shows an insistence on DEI groupthink politics and racialization.”
“Today, the instruction Cornell offers is based on DEI groupthink that applies to all fields of study,” added Linseth. “The result is a moral decadence, some call it ‘corruption’, which is consistent with the prevailing ideology and undermines fundamental principles of justice and freedom of speech.”
Linseth went on to argue that Cornell University has failed to become “one of the nation's premier institutions and a proud member of the Ivy League” by “valuing the broad application of DEI over merit.” , that's what happened under President Pollack's leadership.
“Under President Pollack's leadership, anti-Semitism and general intolerance increased on campus,” the Cornell graduate added. “Her lack of leadership in the days following the October 7th massacre is just one of many examples of poor leadership and failed policies at Cornell University.”
Linseth also pointed to the campus' new “bias reporting system,” which he said “is fostering a hostile Orwellian environment where neighbors, classmates, and colleagues report each other.”
“The abolition of grades and the SAT has created a system where equality of outcome is the objective, not proven ability,” he said. “This is a disaster for a research university founded on academic achievement and dedicated to educating and training our nation’s leading scientists, architects, and engineers.”
Mr. Linseth also requested that the recent recall following Mr. Pollack's resignation be added to the agenda of Friday's emergency board meeting.
“President Michael Kotlikoff should also resign for his intimate involvement in defaming Cornell's academic legacy under DEI,” he added. “I'm sure you're all familiar with the 'Peter Principle,' which states that people are promoted within an organization until they reach a level of incompetence.”
“No alumni, students, faculty or staff should ever accept that Cornell University is in this shameful position,” Linseth concluded in part, adding, “We must correct these intolerable situations and protect Cornell University's legacy and honor in every moment.” We need a new leader to quickly recover,” he added. Possible. “
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