Prof begins hunger strike against MIT

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Link

MIT Professor Begins Hunger Strike

Feb 05 6:18 PM US/Eastern

By DENISE LAVOIE

Associated Press Writer

BOSTON (AP) -- A black MIT professor began a hunger strike Monday to protest the university's decision to deny him tenure, which he claims was based on race.

James Sherley, a stem cell scientist, said he tried for two years to persuade administrators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to reverse the department head's rejection of his tenure bid.

"I'm not actually doing this to get tenured," Sherley said. "I'm doing this for the reason that I wasn't tenured _ which is racism _ and I want this institution to admit that that is the problem and make plans to do something about it."

After a last meal _ two bowls of Chex cereal _ Sherley stood outside provost L. Rafael Reif's office in protest, accompanied by about 25 friends and supporters.

University administrators denied Sherley's allegations and said less than half of junior faculty members are promoted to tenured positions.

Chancellor Phillip Clay would not comment on the specific reasons Sherley was not tenured, but said the decision involved comments from experts outside MIT.

The 5-foot-8, 254-pound professor said he planned to ingest only water, vitamins and electrolyte supplements until the university acknowledges its racism.

Sherley, 49, works with adult stem cells and opposes research using human embryonic stem cells because he believes it amounts to taking human life. In September, he won a prestigious $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

IMO, in a nutshell, Sherley is a CF!

(based on my all-too-oft hearing at dinner table from my dad of desi profs who had been at University of Calgary since immigrating in 1966 -- five years before us -- being denied tenure; this stopped when, in annoyance, I asked him if he had ever "objectively" evaluated these profs by sitting through one of their classes.)

[almaty 19]

i agree brother sriniv..a certified chopf##k

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

LOL the Nutty Professor...

[DeadPoolX 9]

I somehow doubt the reason he wasn't tenured was because of racism. Is it possible? Sure, but I doubt it. Only a select few professors are tenured and then usually it's senior staff members, not junior ones. I think this professor is just upset and playing the "race card" now in order to make a big stink.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

This reminds me... time for lunch!

[Fandango 1,440]

Let's make a bet they're sneaking mayo into his water.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Let's make a bet they're sneaking mayo into his water.

That sounds gross

[bucknekkid 0]

5'8' 254 pounds..He can stand to go on a diet...

If he withers away to nothing, his complaint will be a non-issue...

[Robor007 0]

5'8' 254 pounds..He can stand to go on a diet...

If he withers away to nothing, his complaint will be a non-issue...

Until he's actually underweight wouldn't this be considered a 'diet'?

[Fandango 1,440]

5'8' 254 pounds..He can stand to go on a diet...

If he withers away to nothing, his complaint will be a non-issue...

Until he's actually underweight wouldn't this be considered a 'diet'?

I'd consider it a 'lifestyle improvement'

huzzah!