Much has been written here and elsewhere about how American and British universities take foreign money. University presidents say their institutions retain academic independence and intellectual integrity, but evidence suggests otherwise. Sparked by Yale University’s decision to establish a program in Singapore, a country where free speech and political criticism are limited, Shaun Tan, a student currently completing a master’s degree at Yale University, has penned an important article in The Politic examining the phenomenon. Tan describes several cases. For example, there is China:
The Chinese government… has financed Confucius Institutes at universities including Columbia, Stanford, and the University of Chicago. Ostensibly meant to promote study of Chinese language and culture, something many Westerners rightly perceive as important, the cash comes with strings attached. Affiliated universities must sign a “memorandum of understanding” endorsing the “one-China policy” that precludes recognition of Taiwan as a state. Confucius Institutes have also been known to act as lobby groups in universities, attempting to block guest speakers who they perceive as anti-Beijing.
And Abu Dhabi:
Clinched by a $50 million donation to NYU, and the promise of much more to come, NYU-Abu Dhabi opened in fall 2010, making it the first liberal arts college outside America… [University President John] Sexton warned students and faculty at the new campus that they couldn’t criticize Abu Dhabi’s leaders and policies without repercussions. However, he denied that such restrictions would betray the spirit of a liberal arts college. “I have no trouble distinguishing between rights of academic freedom and rights of political expression,” he said.
He provides many other examples. His well-researched piece is a must read.
Foreigners flock to American universities because of their freedom and opportunity. How sad it is then, as Tan describes, that so many American university presidents are willing to compromise basic values in order to make a quick buck, often padding endowments which already reach billions of dollars. That will not bring progress; it is simply intellectual prostitution.
And well , why not ? Most of what passes for a liberal arts education these days is academic fraud producing , at best , a herd of independent minds . But even more nasty is the financial fraud perpetrated by these institutions of so-called higher education . If a securities firm were to market to investors an investment of so little value as a BA in say anthropology , they would be sharing space with Bernie Madoff tout suite . And as bad as the undergrad programs are , the doctoral programs are more akin to strong arm robbery , seperating the student ( and the taxpayer ? )from their money with virtually zero hope of any return . The universities have betrayed their purpose down to the pins so they might as well get their 30 pieces of silver
this sickens me. I work at a university with a Confucius Institute…I had no idea our MOU says that we don't recognize Taiwan. my university also happens to have several "joint institutes" with Chinese colleges. n nthis is scary. but since it's all about the money…I guess there's not much we can do about it.
How about a piece on what Jewish money is doing to our universities? n nOh, right, a forbidden topic. Never mind.
how special, dog caca that has taught itself to type. n nbut at least the anti-Semitism of this cogitating fecal matter is out in the open, not like the so-called "anti-Zionist" charade of that lump maroon Grumpy Tit. n nOh, right, same brown stains. Never mind.
Considering all the anti-Israel diatribe that flows from the university professors, student associations and university administrations, Jewish money does not buy as much influence as Arab money.
Vile Old Anti-Semite's posts usually have 3 characteristics: (1) They obsessively bring up Jews or Israel even if not relevant to the topic, (2) They are all invective, zero argument and (3) They are anti-Semitic while baiting Jews for daring to point it out.
Come on Grumps, when you choke out a hair-ball like this, you must have something in mind in that armour-thick cerebrum of yours. Educate us on the horrors of Jewish donations to US universities. Like valuable art collections (subliminal messaging?), money and special equipment for medical research (Jewish medicine)? Show us a parallel situation where Jews or Israel attempted to undermine academic freedom. n nCrickets chirping. n nIt must hurt to be you; a poor and bitter liar, a life lived without a scrap of honour or self-respect.
For sure Grasswipes, was something specific being referred to, or just the axiomatic and obsessive certainty that Jews and their money are corrupting the universe behind your back? The disillusioned and empty souls of this world look in the mirror and they see the Eternal Jew grinning back. But who, indeed, stands in front of the reflection?
And what about all the “Islamic Studies” programs paid for by the Saudis and Gulf Arabs that are essentially propaganda programs for Islam and Arab “culture”? Please do a followup piece!
Being “American”, what does that mean, please explain. Especially when anyone with a wad of cash flies in takes up residence get’s a job, a lot easier than an American and can stay for as long or short a time as they want. They are also given preferential financial aid and health care. I just love it when I see Vietnam Vet. begging for a crust of bread while an endless stream of luxury cars packed with foreign nationals run the red light and threaten to mow the patriot down. Of course this infusion of cash into our best universities,results in foreighn nationals being accepted not into programs in anthropolgy, but nuclear physics and medicine and electrical engineering. They can either stay and steal a job here, with the help of a network supported by corporate sponsors who allow easy placement into jobs which are upwardly mobile. Hospitals are invested in this concept for years. They bilk medicare to pay these people, who do not always treat every patient the same, when one of theirs is the patient, it’s different.
…It would appear the damage is done. All of the institutions we have valued are going down. Where have all of the Coffee Houses gone? The Philadelphia Orchestra is on the verge of chapter 11. Americans are intensively discriminated against in the workplace by foreigners egged on by management. I’m not going to go into possible solutions. The individual has to be very courageous and competent to keep his or her position. The government will not take action against most major corporations unless specific legal criteria are met. If you are Jewish and male, good luck finding an attorney who will take your case…most are not interested in being a pioneer.
It seems I hit a nerve, judging from the venomous responses. Commentary purports to be a Jewish magazine, but compare the number of posts complaining about anti-Israelism and anti-semitism to the scant posts questioning the conduct of Jews, Israel and Jewish organizations. Par for the course for a house organ, and I wouldn't care were it not for the obsessive drumbeat for war emanating from the neocon quarters in which this site has a leading role. n nAs for universities, I have no idea on what proportion of their private donation comes from Jews who have parochial Jewish concerns, but I thought it might be interesting. More of the Ivy League schools have Jewish presidents than every before. Jews are overrepresented in the student bodies even allowing for their higher average IQs. Why? n nWhy did Larry Summers become President of Harvard? Why did he appoint an unaccomplished Upper West Side red diaper baby to head the law school there, allowing Barack Obama, who made his peace with the Pritzkers back in Chicago, to appoint this horror show to the Supreme Court? n nWhy did UCLA name a law-and-business outfit after one of the Milkens? Presumably not because they are ethical paragons. n nThere are at least as many ethical issues here as whether Chinese money has led universities to be mean to Taiwan, the gist of the post. The program here appears to be to revive the old Cold War rivalries. Hawks need enemies, and China will do. n n n