NY Post claims Harvard was ‘threatened’ over plagiarism investigation
The New York Post Claims Harvard University Threatened Them Over Plagiarism Allegations Against President Claudine Gay
The New York Post reported on Tuesday that Harvard University’s lawyer had issued a “threat” in response to the newspaper’s investigation into plagiarism allegations against the school’s president, Claudine Gay.
The Post reached out to Harvard on October 24, seeking comment on 27 instances where Gay’s work appeared to closely resemble the words and phrasing of other academics. Harvard’s senior executive director of media relations and communications, Jonathan Swain, who has ties to Hillary Clinton and the Biden administration, requested more time to review Gay’s work.
However, Swain failed to follow up as promised, and on October 27, attorney Thomas Clare, representing Harvard and Gay, contacted the Post claiming defamation. It was only on Tuesday that Harvard publicly acknowledged the investigation into Gay’s academic work for plagiarism, following questions raised by Christopher Rufo of the Manhattan Institute.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP
Harvard’s Response and Findings
In a letter addressed to the Harvard community, the college acknowledged that the investigation began in late October after becoming aware of the allegations against Gay. The probe revealed a few instances of inadequate citation but concluded that Gay did not violate Harvard’s standards for research misconduct.
Harvard stated that Gay would make four corrections in two of her published works, adding citations and quotation marks that were previously omitted. The letter expressed unanimous support for President Gay during this challenging time.
Controversy Surrounding Gay’s Academic Writings
This controversy arises following Gay’s criticized congressional testimony on Harvard’s response to anti-Semitism on campus. When questioned about whether calling for the genocide of Jews violated the universities’ codes of conduct, Gay and other university presidents avoided giving a direct answer.
Gay stated that hate speech can be considered a violation depending on the context and that it goes against Harvard’s values. She emphasized that when such speech crosses into conduct, it violates their policies.
While some academics whose work resembled Gay’s did not believe she had plagiarized them, Professor Anne Williamson from the University of Miami in Ohio expressed anger and shock. Williamson claimed that Gay’s 2017 paper had striking similarities to her own 2011 paper and insisted on being credited as a reference.
Gay, who became Harvard’s first black president earlier this year, now faces scrutiny over these plagiarism allegations.
How has Harvard University responded to the allegations of plagiarism against President Claudine Gay?
Itute.
According to the New York Post, Clare’s letter to the newspaper threatened legal action if they published any allegations of plagiarism against Gay. The letter reportedly stated that the Post’s inquiry was an attempt to “smear and defame” Gay and that “any assertion that Gay participated in any form of academic dishonesty or plagiarism is false, malicious, and untruthful.”
The Post, however, stood by its investigation, stating that it had meticulously reviewed Gay’s writings and found multiple instances of potential plagiarism. They also pointed out that they had given Harvard ample opportunity to respond to their findings before publishing the article.
The allegations against Gay are serious and could have significant implications for Harvard University. As the school’s president, she is expected to uphold the highest academic standards and ethics. Plagiarism, if proven, would undoubtedly tarnish her reputation and call into question her ability to lead one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world.
Harvard’s response to the allegations has been somewhat perplexing. Instead of conducting a thorough investigation into the claims, they seemed more focused on threatening the New York Post with legal action. This approach raises questions about Harvard’s commitment to academic integrity and transparency.
It is essential for universities, especially top-tier institutions like Harvard, to address allegations of academic misconduct promptly and transparently. Plagiarism undermines the integrity of the entire academic community and erodes public trust in educational institutions.
By threatening legal action against the New York Post, Harvard is sending a message that they would rather protect their reputation than address the serious allegations raised against their president. This is a disheartening stance for an institution that should be a beacon of integrity and truth in academia.
Furthermore, the ties between Jonathan Swain, Harvard’s senior executive director of media relations and communications, and prominent Democrats like Hillary Clinton and the Biden administration raise concerns about potential bias and a lack of impartiality in handling the investigation. It is crucial that any investigation into plagiarism allegations be conducted objectively and independently to ensure fairness and impartiality.
In the wake of these allegations, it is essential that Harvard takes swift and decisive action. They must conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation into the plagiarism allegations against President Claudine Gay. If the allegations are substantiated, Harvard should hold Gay accountable and take appropriate disciplinary measures. This is not only important to maintain the integrity of the institution but also to restore public trust in Harvard’s commitment to academic excellence and ethical conduct.
Ultimately, the outcome of this investigation will determine not just the fate of President Claudine Gay, but also the reputation of Harvard University. It is a critical moment for the institution to demonstrate its commitment to academic integrity, accountability, and transparency.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
