3 B-School Profs At South Alabama U Suspended Over Racist Photos

Three B-school professors from the University of South Alabama, including the former dean, were placed on leave over photos involving “blatantly racist symbols” on Facebook.

Three business professors from the University of South Alabama were placed on leave after photos of them dressed in racially insensitive costumes at a 2014 Halloween party resurfaced, according to reports in The College Post and New York Times.

The photos show then-dean of the university’s college of business and current finance professor Bob Wood dressed as a Confederate soldier, while fellow professors Alex Sharland and Teresa Weldy posed with a whip and noose during a 2014 on-campus Halloween party.

The photos, deleted from Facebook, resurfaced in a student petition calling out the professors and calling for their termination because of their display of “blatantly racist symbols of hatred and violence towards the African-American community.”

“In these photos, members of our tenured faculty appear wearing and holding symbols that are offensive and contrary to the principles of diversity and inclusion that our university strives to incorporate into all of our decisions and actions,” Tony Waldrop, the university’s president, said in a statement. “We condemn the use of any and all racist images or symbols, which are not acceptable in any context on our campus.”

Multimillion-dollar gift brings Northwestern Kellogg fundraising over $500 million

Michael and Cari Sacks

A new $5 million gift from Michael (’88 JD, MBA) and Cari Sacks will include scholarship support for former Chicago Public Schools students attending Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and Pritzker School of Law.

The gift brings the couple’s total giving throughout We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern to $13.3 million, expanding on their past support for Northwestern undergraduates who attended CPS. In total, 89 students have received a Sacks Family Scholarship, including 41 CPS graduates.

Of the Sackses’ latest gift, $2 million will support students at Kellogg and $2 million will support students at Northwestern Pritzker Law, creating an endowed Cari and Michael Sacks ’88 JD, MBA Family Scholarship at each school. The scholarships will fund tuition, books and supplies, student fees and living expenses for at least one student at each school per year in perpetuity.

“Now more than ever, student support is essential to making education more accessible to Chicago’s brightest minds,” Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro said. “Through their latest philanthropy, Michael and Cari are doubling down on their commitment to Northwestern students from Chicago Public Schools, helping them to become tomorrow’s leaders in business and the law.”

International student perceptions of the U.S. on the way up following Biden win 

International students’ perceptions of the United States as a study destination have significantly improved following the election win by Joe Biden, according to new research by IDP Connect.

A survey of more than 800 prospective international students interested in studying in the US has found more than three quarters (76%) have improved perceptions of the U.S. since the 2020 presidential election, with 67% stating they are now more likely to study there.

When asked how nine key factors would be affected by the Biden administration, respondents expected all to improve, with the welfare of international students, safety of its citizens and visitors, and post-study work visa policies perceived to see the most improvements.

Furthermore, the majority of students (69%) expected the new presidential administration will have a positive effect on their home country.

Cincinnati Lindner professor alleges employment discrimination by school

A University of Cincinnati professor has filed a lawsuit against the school alleging that officials at the Lindner School of Business engaged in discriminatory hiring practices, according to a story in The College Post.

Sourushe Zandvakili, a professor and former department head of economics at UC, says administrators at the Lindner School have demonstrated “a pattern of alleged discrimination” for over a decade.

Zandvakili — an Iranian-born, naturalized U.S. citizen — has filed a 13-page complaint outlining how he was treated unfairly along with another former faculty member, alleging both were denied promotions and pay raises.

MIT Sloan Hispanic Business Club launches scholarship to support Latinx MBA applicants

The Hispanic Business Club at the MIT Sloan School of Management recently announced the launch of the group’s “More than Ready” Pre-MBA Scholarship to support Latinx applicants in the admissions process to top MBA programs.

“We estimate that the top 25 full-time MBA programs consist of 5 to 8% Latinx students,” says Jose Luis Ramos, current co-president of the HBC. “The numbers are even lower for Latinx company executives, board members, investors, and VC-backed founders. We want to increase the pipeline of Latinx students in top MBA programs by reducing the application costs, which is a high barrier to entry for certain communities.”

The application process opens March 9, 2021. “In reviewing the applications, our aim is to understand the ‘distance travelled’ by the applicant, the need for financial support, and any positive contributions to their respective community,” says Ramos, noting that the group is seeking Latinx applicants for the class of 2024 in full-time top MBA programs.

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