Clark President John Bassett to step down

According to an official release from Clark University, President John Bassett is set to step down from his post effective July 2010, exactly 10 years after he assumed the seat.

“Ten years seems about the right time for a university president,” Bassett said in the release, “at least for me. Kay and I decided that we’d like to pursue one more career challenge. I hope to be able to share more as our plans evolve, but I can assure you they will be shaped by our ten years at Clark, just as the Clark experience changes our students, staff, and faculty forever.”

Clark Hillel statement on Finkelstein

Jewish student group Clark Hillel weighs in:

While we believe CUSPR has a right to invite Finkelstein to speak, we believe that at least some of Finkelstein’s written views are repugnant and unconstructive and that his presentation at Clark would most likely serve to further divide the campus by promoting a rejectionist view that seeks to establish the rights of one group by denying the same rights to another group. Finkelstein has argued that there is no legitimate right to a nation with a majority Jewish population. He has also claimed that Jews, Jewish organizations, and Israel exaggerate the horrors of the Holocaust and use the Holocaust to deflect or block criticism. We believe that these are not views that can help us start a constructive conversation about the role that Clarkies can play in contributing to a peaceful and just resolution to this ongoing and tragic conflict.

Full statement after the break:

Clark President Bassett: Finkelstein not unwelcome for Clark speech

It looks like controversial Holocaust scholar Norman Finkelstein will be allowed to speak at Clark later this semester. In a statement from Clark University President John Bassett, he says that, “At no time did I indicate that Professor Finkelstein would not speak at Clark on another occasion.”

And speech sponsors Clark University Students for Palestinian Rights say on online posts that they are working to bring him back this semester.

Bassett’s full statement after the jump.

Clark protestors in action

Clark students are protesting the cancellation of controversial Holocaust scholar Norman Finkelstein.

Check it out here live, at least for the next several minutes.

Andrew WK apologizes to Clark University

Pretty classy move here by Andrew WK, who was scheduled to play a show later this month at Clark University, but was forced to cancel to film a planned TV show.

The musician filmed a 2 minute apology “…with the hopes and strong belief  that there will be many other opportunities to play at Worcester, Massachusetts and hopefully at Clark University again.”

Not bad…just hope he follows through and comes to town soon.

Clinton at Clark today

Confirmation just in that Hillary Clinton will be speaking at Clark at 12:30; doors open at 11:30.

Security and parking both look tight.

We’ll be attempting to live-blog the day.

Chelsea Clinton comes to Clark tomorrow morning

According to a notice sent out to Clark University Alumni, Chelsea Clinton will be in Worcester tomorrow morning at 1oam.  It doesn’t look like it’s an open event, but it’s the most high profile visit to Worcester in the 2008 Presidential campaign so far.

“Clark Democrats and Congressman Jim McGovern are welcoming Chelsea Clinton to campus tomorrow, Thursday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. in Tilton Hall in the Higgins University Center. The Clark community is welcome to attend this event.”