Renowned Harvard University African American Studies Prof. Cornel West is considering a move to Princeton University after a dispute with newly appointed Harvard President Lawrence Summers.
The controversy began in October 2001 when Summers criticized West for his participation in political non-academic pursuits.
West recently had gained attention for advising Bill Bradley's 2000 presidential campaign, heading the Rev. Al Sharpton's exploratory presidential campaign committee and recording a rap and spoken-word CD, "Sketches of My Culture," released in September.
Summers also accused West of inflating grades in his introductory course on black studies.
West told the Washington Post on Jan. 7 that Summers insulted him and treated him with disrespect.
"The one thing I do not tolerate is disrespect, being dishonored and being devalued," West told National Public Radio interviewer Travis Smiley.
West's spokesperson, Harvard Law Professor Charles J. Ogletree, said West will not make a definite decision about leaving Harvard until February. West wants to wait until after he undergoes prostate surgery, which is scheduled for later this month.
Author of the highly acclaimed Race Matters, West has been teaching for the past 26 years, with experience at Yale, Princeton and Union College in New York.
He also is one of only 14 professors to hold the title of "University Professor" at Harvard, where he has taught since 1994.
"It was a mistake on the part of the president to overstep his boundaries and reprimand Cornel West," said M. Rick Turner, University dean of the Office of African American Affairs. "Someone with [West's] status, who has reached the pinnacle of his profession, should be able to do anything he wants."
"President Summers, being new at the helm, probably didn't handle the situation in the most professional manner," Turner added.
Summers, a treasury secretary under former President Clinton, has been Harvard's president since July 2001.
Earlier this month, he issued a public statement of his commitment to diversity. "I take pride in Harvard's longstanding commitment to diversity," he said. "We would very much like to see the current faculty stay at Harvard and will compete vigorously to make this an attractive environment."
The statement came as a relief to many at Harvard, including Brandon Gayle, president of Harvard's Black Student Association.
"I have faith that Summers is a proponent of diversity and will make it a cornerstone of his presidency," Gayle said.
Gayle expressed discontent that West may be leaving Harvard as a result of the dispute with Summers.
"It would be a tragedy to lose such a great professor and to potentially have others defect with him."
Gayle also said that there has been talk of holding a rally to support West.
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