Education

University Of Michigan Denounces Professor That Allegedly Refused To Write Letter Of Recommendation

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Mike Brest Reporter
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A spokesperson for the University of Michigan denounced a professor who had allegedly refused to write a student a letter of recommendation because that student was planning on studying abroad in Israel.

University of Michigan professor refusing to write letter of recommendations

University of Michigan professor refusing to write a letter of recommendation

“The academic goals of our students are of paramount importance. It is the university’s position to take all steps necessary to make sure our students are supported,” Rick Fitzgerald, a university spokesperson told The Daily Caller on Monday. “It is disappointing that a faculty member would allow their personal political beliefs to limit the support they are willing to otherwise provide for our students.”

He continued, “We will engage our faculty colleagues in deep discussions to clarify how the expression of our shared values plays out in support of all students.”

Fitzgerald did not definitively confirm the email was from Professor John Cheney-Lippold but issued the statement anyway.

Cheney-Lippold allegedly refused to write the letter for “Abigail,” because “many university departments have pledged an academic boycott against Israel in support of Palestinians living in Palestine. This boycott includes writing letters of recommendation for students planning to study there.”

Fitzgerald also refuted the professor’s alleged claim that school departments have made pacts to boycott Israel.  “No academic department or any other unit at the University of Michigan has taken a position that departs from this long-held university position” of “consistently [opposing] any boycott of Israeli institutions of higher education,” he stated.

Cheney-Lippold did not respond to requests for comment.

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