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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

NYU and the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding in which both parties agreed to the terms of the relationship between NYUAD and the government. The document has never been made public. Publishing the agreement would make explicit the terms both parties agreed to. Restrictions or requirements made by the UAE government or NYU concerning how the university is funded, how NYU's administration would interact with the UAE government or protocols surrounding academic freedom or some of the topics that may be detailed in the memorandum.The UAE government completely funds the expenses of NYUAD. NYUAD's campus was built by a UAE government-owned holding company, Mubadala, and NYU received a $50 million donation from the Abu Dhabi government upon the announcement of the campus.NYU Abu Dhabi Assistant History Professor Lauren Minsky has alleged that during the 2017 to 2018 academic year, books she had planned to use in class were seized at customs and censored. The books were returned, but not in time for them to be used as planned.Three NYU professors have not been allowed into the UAE. The professors cited research on labor conditions and religious beliefs as reasons they believe they were denied entry.10,000 of the workers who built NYUAD's campus on Saadiyat Island were subject to wage theft and some had their passports confiscated while subject to harsh work and living conditions, which violated NYU's own 'statement of labor values.' NYU has paid recompense to 6,600 out of 10,000 workers affected, but have been unable to track down the remaining workers who were victims of wage theft.British doctoral student at Durham University Matthew Hedges was in the UAE to study the country's security strategy, when he was detained by the government and sentenced to life in prison for spying after a months-long interrogation period, during which he says he was tortured. After months of international pressure, he was pardoned by the UAE.The Student Senators Council is the only student body given power by the university's bylaws. The SSC is made up of school senators elected by the student body and senators at-large elected by other student government members. The University Senate is a body that includes the SSC, as well as representation of faculty and administrators. Resolutions it passes can make changes to university policy and procedures, although the Board of Trustees has the ability to veto said resolutions.In a two year period, the Board of Trustees vetoed four resolutions passed by the University Senate. One resolution called on NYU to divest from fossil fuels, while three separate resolutions called for increased transparency, representation and engagement on the Board of Trustees.In March, the New York Times published an article detailing sexual assault allegations against billionaire and NYU Trustee Michael Steinhardt. Seven women he worked with at various Jewish organizations accused him of repeatedly asking them to have sex with him. Steinhardt has donated $20 million to NYU and is the namesake of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.Elmer Holmes Bobst, who donated $6 million dollars to NYU, was a known anti-Semite. In a letter penned to his close friend President Richard Nixon, Bobst wrote that Jews have 'troubled the world from the very beginning.' Bobst was also accused of pedophilia.Besides the decarbonization resolution, a resolution which called for an ad-hoc committee to review and assess resources for students who experience sexual misconduct was passed. A resolution which would create a socially responsible investment policy at NYU did not pass.After it passed in student government, the University Senate's Sustainability Advisory and Working Group worked with student activists from NYU Divest to edit the resolution. It passed the University Senate in April. Despite Hamilton's assertion that it would have financial implications during the University Senate meeting, the resolution has since been called 'aspirational' by both Assistant Vice President of Sustainability Cecil Scheib and Hamilton himself.Between 2013 and 2016, 55% of tenured or tenure-track and 65% of continuing track new hires were white, according to a report by the Equity, Diversion and Inclusion taskforce published in 2017. Hamilton said that NYU is actively making efforts to increase diversity among faculty, with 58% of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development’s new faculty recruitment this year coming from underrepresented minorities. Additionally, 33% of Tisch School of the Arts’ and 16% of Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ faculty recruitment this year came from underrepresented minorities. He said although FAS’s number is low, it is up from 6% a few years ago.