[A-List] US imperialism: Russia & Harvard

["Michael Keaney" <michael011@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Harvard investigates another controversy
By Rebecca Knight in Boston
Financial Times: March 6 2006

Harvard University, still reeling from the resignation of Larry Summers
as its president, is seeking to clear up another controversy dogging its
reputation.

The university is investigating the professional conduct of Andrei
Shleifer, the economics professor accused of defrauding a US government
programme designed to help bring capitalism to Russia in the 1990s.

Prof Shleifer allegedly made personal investments in the former Soviet
republic when he was working under contract to privatise Russian
companies. In an out-of-court settlement reached in August after the
government took legal action, Harvard agreed to pay $26.5m and Prof
Shleifer $2m, though neither party admitted wrong-doing.

According to people familiar with the investigation, the Committee on
Professional Conduct, an ethics board comprised of eight members of the
faculty of arts and sciences, has been looking into the Shleifer affair
for several months. The committee will soon make a recommendation to the
dean of the FAS about whether any disciplinary action should be taken,
including possible termination of his contract.

The fact Prof Shleifer, a close friend and colleague of Mr Summers, has
so far not been subjected to disciplinary action has caused outrage in
US academic circles. In recent weeks, several prominent faculty members
have become increasingly outspoken on the Shleifer case. They say it
represents one of the university?s darkest hours and could harm its
credibility with federal aid agencies if no action is taken.

Harry Lewis, professor of computer science, and author of the book
Excellence Without a Soul: How a Great University Forgot Education,
said: ?To this day . . . no one has said it?s a shame
that Harvard did this, it was wrong. No one has said it?s a stain on the
university.?


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