
The New York Post cited our report’s “smoking gun” evidence that DEI Statements have been weaponized against applicants in STEM fields, where political ideology should have no bearing on a candidate’s qualifications. The article emphasized that these statements were used to reject 21% of candidates in a recent faculty search in a hard science department—despite Cornell’s public claims that such requirements were no longer mandatory.
“By placing such socio-political loyalty pledges before academic excellence in assessing applicant qualifications, the faculty hiring process has become badly distorted and educational quality has been seriously degraded at Cornell,” the Post quoted from our analysis.
Discriminatory Practices Revealed
The Post highlighted another troubling aspect of Cornell’s hiring practices: the use of demographic factors, such as race and age, to favor certain candidates while disadvantaging others. These findings confirm what we have long argued—Cornell’s DEI policies are not “leveling the playing field” but instead “heavily tilting” it in favor of candidates with specific demographic profiles and ideological commitments.
“DEI is NOT ‘leveling the playing field’ to fully include underrepresented groups – but, instead, is `heavily tilting’ the playing field,” the Post quoted from our report.
Call for Reform
The Post also spotlighted comments from our board member and Cornell alum Carl Neuss, who urged the university to take immediate action:“Cornell has an opportunity to reverse course and demonstrate principled leadership by loudly and publicly abolishing these pernicious DEI policies,” Neuss said.
He warned that without substantial reform, Cornell risks “legal jeopardy, reputational damage, and loss of academic legitimacy.” These are stakes too high for an institution of Cornell’s caliber to ignore.
National Context and Momentum
Our findings come as institutions like MIT have abandoned similar DEI mandates, acknowledging their incompatibility with academic freedom and their failure to achieve their intended goals. The Post notes that these revelations at Cornell arrive at a time of increasing scrutiny of DEI policies nationwide, particularly following the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action in college admissions.
Leadership Transition: A Chance for Change
The Post also reported on the upcoming departure of President Martha Pollack, a staunch proponent of the DEI policies in question. Her retirement on June 30 represents a pivotal moment for Cornell’s leadership to steer the university back toward academic excellence and the principles of free inquiry.
A Broader Call to Action
As we continue to advocate for reforms, the national attention drawn by the New York Post amplifies our call for Cornell to:
Eliminate the use of DEI Statements in all hiring and admissions processes.
Restore merit-based evaluation criteria across all academic disciplines.
Foster an environment of open inquiry and viewpoint diversity, free from ideological conformity.
The Post coverage reinforces the urgency of our mission and the widespread recognition that Cornell must act decisively to restore its academic integrity.
Our Commitment
We, at the Cornell Free Speech Alliance, will remain steadfast in holding the university accountable and advocating for these critical changes. As more voices join the call for reform, we believe Cornell has a unique opportunity to lead by example and reaffirm its commitment to free expression, academic rigor, and fairness.
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