Leading scholar and African-American studies professor Cornel West will leave Harvard to assume a position at Princeton University, Harvard officials announced last Friday. The renowned academic resigned from his post as Fletcher University Professor, having taught at Harvard since 1994, in a move following a publicized feud between West and Harvard President Lawrence Summers last semester.
Conflict between Summers and West first arose in the fall when, after reviewing the department, Summers challenged the professor on what he saw as insufficient scholarship. The dispute made national headlines as a battle between a new president and a distinguished scholar. The controversy soon subsided for a short time, until West's announcement last week.
West said Princeton put forth a stronger and more sincere pitch for him to join its faculty. He said Princeton President Shirley M. Tilghman and new Provost Amy Gutmann contacted him once a week following his surgery combating prostate cancer. In contrast, Summers sent West a "get well" card more than two months after the surgery.
"I think in one sense that Larry Summers is the Ariel Sharon of American higher education," West said in an interview with Travis Smiley on National Public Radio (NPR). "He struck me very much as a bull in a china shop, and as a bully, in a very delicate and dangerous situation."
West led Princeton's African-American studies department and taught religion before moving to Harvard. He brought a number of professors with him, transforming Harvard's program into one of the most prestigious in the country. Ten years ago, the department had one tenured professor, who was white. Today, it is viewed as having a superstar roster of faculty.
But that roster has taken some hits this year. Dr. K. Anthony Appiah left for Princeton after last semester, citing personal reasons, and West recently alluded that Dr. Henry Louis "Skip" Gates Jr., chair of the department, is considering making the same move.
Summers conducted similar reviews of the Kennedy School of Government and the Graduate School of Education at the start of his first year as president. According to the New York Times, he questioned the purpose of the School of Government, asking why it is needed to prepare students for public service instead of Harvard's Law and Business schools.
West is a University Professor, a title held by only 16 other professors at Harvard. While other professors report to department chairs or deans, University Professors report directly to the President.
On the NPR radio show, West alleged that Summers had treated him in a manner not appropriate for an assistant professor, "let alone a University Professor." Summers allegedly criticized West's work without having read it and suggested that he keep check on West's research.
West told the New York Times that Princeton's atmosphere and the enthusiasm of its administrators "pulled" him away from Harvard. He is currently on leave from Harvard as he battles prostate cancer.
Summers has said he wishes West the best at Princeton, and regrets his decision to leave. West has said he remains optimistic for the future of Harvard and that the talented faculty and students will keep the university on track.
TheNew York Times and Harvard Crimson articles contributed to this report.
