Professor James Sherley ends fastAt noon today, Professor James L. Sherley informed the MIT administration that he was ending his twelve-day fast. MIT and Professor Sherley have issued the following statements: MIT statementMIT deeply regrets that Professor Sherley's experiences at the Institute have resulted in his fast to express his concerns about racism. MIT bears responsibility for ensuring an environment in which all members of our diverse community feel welcome and respected. Professor Sherley's protest has focused attention on the effects that race may play in the hiring, advancement and experience of under-represented minority faculty, and on ensuring that our grievance processes are comprehensive, fair and timely. MIT is fully committed to addressing these issues and will continue to work toward resolution of our differences with Professor Sherley. James Sherley statementDear colleagues: As MIT observes its Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration today, I want to thank my supporters and other sympathizers of my hunger strike outside of the offices of the President and Provost. I am ending this part of my struggle. Starting today, I will in fact break my fast, in celebration of the attention that has been brought to bear on issues of equity, diversity, and justice at MIT and in higher education. Carefully modified from the original, my demands are still on the table. I urge the administration to act in good faith, to openly acknowledge and respond to the lines of communication and negotiation that have been in place for two weeks and to find its way to meet these demands. Sincerely yours, James L. Sherley |
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RELATEDInitiative launched to assess minority faculty issues - Provost L. Rafael Reif and President Susan Hockfield have announced that MIT will undertake a comprehensive, rigorous and systematic study of the effects that race may have in the hiring, advancement and experience of underrepresented minority faculty at MIT. 2/7/2007 Professor fasts over tenure process - On Monday, Feb. 5, Associate Professor James L. Sherley began a fast on campus to protest both the decision not to promote him to tenure and the outcome of his previous grievance process. 2/5/2007 Minority Faculty Issues at MIT - A letter from MIT President Susan Hockfield, Feb. 2, 2007 Message to the MIT Faculty - A letter from MIT Provost L. Rafael Reif, Jan. 29, 2007 More: Administration More: Faculty |
