NYU President Linda Mills Faces Scrutiny Over Communications with Anti-Palestinian Advocacy Group Founder
President Linda Mills of New York University has come under fire for her close correspondence with Elizabeth Rand,the founder of Mothers Against Campus Antisemitism (MACA),a Facebook group that pressures universities to crack down on pro-Palestinian protests through financial threats and intimidation. A recent report from NYU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has shed light on the extent of their communications, raising concerns about favoritism, privacy violations, and unequal treatment of students.
The Role of MACA and Its Demands
Table of Contents
- The Role of MACA and Its Demands
- Financial Influence and Favoritism
- Concerns Over Privacy and Equal Treatment
- NYU’s Response
- Key Points at a Glance
- Calls to Action
- A Growing Divide on Campus
- The Role of MACA and ICE Threats
- Concerns for International Students
- trump’s Executive Order and Its Implications
- Key Points at a Glance
- A Call for Action
- Editor’s Interview with NYU Student Activist
- Conclusion
MACA, founded by Rand, has been vocal in its opposition to pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses. The group recently posted a message calling for the deportation of “foreign students and faculty that support Hamas,” linking to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tipline. Rand has repeatedly emailed Mills, demanding that NYU suspend students protesting Israel’s war in Gaza and threatening to send “her people” if the university fails to act.
On December 12, Rand sent Mills a video of a protest outside Bobst Library, taken by another parent in the group, and warned she would “be happy to send them back” if the protest continued. Shortly after, a senior advisor to mills notified her that “arrests were made” and they had “cleared the disruption.”
Financial Influence and Favoritism
Rand’s influence appears to extend beyond advocacy.Over winter break, she emailed mills claiming she had “just sent” her $13,000, though the purpose of the funds remains unclear. Rand later reposted a Washington Square News article detailing the suspension of 13 students, writing, “I’ll take some credit for this one.”
their communication dates back to last spring,before Rand’s child attended NYU,when she criticized the university’s handling of pro-Palestinian protests. At the start of the fall semester,Rand requested her son’s room change after his roommate linked a site collecting donations for Palestine on Instagram. Mills personally responded, confirming her son had been relocated to a single room.
Concerns Over Privacy and Equal Treatment
AAUP President anna McCarthy has raised alarms about potential violations of Title VI and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). “This act of favoritism is part of a larger pattern of unequal treatment when it comes to pro-Palestinian students,” McCarthy told WSN. she also expressed concern that students with accommodations from the Moses center for Accessibility and inclusive Culture were unable to make necessary arrangements due to such preferential treatment.McCarthy highlighted a string of emails between Mills and Rand after Rand’s son received a disciplinary hearing request for alleged involvement in the december 11 protest. Rand firmly denied the allegations, and Mills later apologized, reaffirming that her son would not be sanctioned and congratulating him on his “straight A’s at Stern.” Rand shared screenshots of the correspondence, stating it demonstrated “the power of MACA.”
NYU’s Response
NYU spokesperson John Beckman dismissed the implications of the communications, stating that coverage “implies connections and influence that simply aren’t present.” He also noted that “requests to change roommates are common.”
Key Points at a Glance
| Issue | Details |
|———————————-|———————————————————————————————–|
| MACA’s Demands | Calls for deportation of pro-Hamas supporters; pressures NYU to suspend protesters. |
| Financial Influence | Rand claims to have sent $13,000 to Mills; purpose unclear. |
| Favoritism | Mills facilitated rand’s son’s room change; apologized for disciplinary hearing. |
| Privacy Concerns | Potential FERPA violations; Mills shared student disciplinary details with Rand. |
| NYU’s stance | Denies undue influence; claims room change requests are routine. |
Calls to Action
The revelations have sparked a broader conversation about the role of external advocacy groups in shaping university policies. Students, faculty, and alumni are encouraged to stay informed and engage in discussions about academic freedom and equal treatment on campus.
As the situation unfolds, the NYU community will be watching closely to see how President mills addresses these concerns and whether the university takes steps to ensure clarity and fairness in its policies.
For more updates on this developing story, follow Washington Square News and the NYU AAUP.NYU Faces Scrutiny Over Response to Pro-Palestinian Protests and ICE Threats
In the wake of escalating pro-palestinian demonstrations on college campuses, New York University (NYU) has come under fire for its handling of student activism and its silence on potential threats to international students. The controversy has drawn attention to the university’s leadership, particularly President Linda mills, who has been criticized for her lack of engagement with pro-Palestinian students and her failure to address concerns about federal immigration enforcement.
A Growing Divide on Campus
As fall 2023, NYU has seen a surge in pro-Palestinian protests, mirroring a nationwide trend. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has publicly criticized the university’s response, noting that Mills has “refused even to acknowledge” requests from pro-palestinian students to meet with her. This lack of communication has fueled frustration among students and faculty alike.
In an email addressing the situation, Mills expressed regret, stating, “I’m so sorry this happened.Please know that the team has taken this entire investigation very seriously.” Though, her words have done little to quell concerns, as critics argue that her actions—or lack thereof—speak louder.
The Role of MACA and ICE Threats
Adding to the tension is the emergence of Mothers Against campus Antisemitism (MACA), a Facebook group founded on October 26, 2023, in response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. With nearly 62,000 members, MACA employs a tactic known as “proxy parenting,” where members visit campuses to pressure administrations into taking action against protesters.
Most recently,MACA has encouraged its members to use a tipline for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to report students and faculty involved in pro-Palestinian protests. This move follows an executive order by former President Donald Trump, which called for the deportation of students protesting Israel’s actions.
NYU spokesperson John Beckman has denied any influence from MACA, stating, “NYU is not in any way influenced by the group mentioned in the story with regard to its outlook, policies, or support for international students, who are valued members of our community.”
Concerns for International Students
Despite Beckman’s assurances, fears persist among international students. Following the 2024 election,NYU announced plans to expand resources for international students. However, as peer institutions face threats of deportation and increased ICE presence on campus, Mills has yet to issue a public statement regarding enhanced protections.
“It’s frightening to think, but she has given no indication that she would not comply, should federal agencies demand the personal data of international students,” said one concerned faculty member.
trump’s Executive Order and Its Implications
In a fact sheet detailing his executive order to “combat antisemitism,” Trump vowed to cancel student visas of protesters and halt demonstrations on college campuses, which he described as “infested with radicalism like never before.” the order specifically called for federal departments, including the U.S. Department of Education, to take aggressive action against student activism.
Key Points at a Glance
| Issue | Details |
|——————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Pro-Palestinian Protests | NYU criticized for lack of engagement with student activists. |
| MACA’s Role | Group encourages ICE reporting of protesters, using “proxy parenting.” |
| ICE Threats | Concerns grow over potential deportation of international students. |
| Trump’s Executive Order | Calls for cancellation of student visas and crackdown on campus protests. |
A Call for Action
As the situation unfolds, students and faculty are urging NYU to take a stronger stance in protecting its community. The university’s silence on these critical issues has left many questioning its commitment to academic freedom and student safety.For more information on NYU’s resources for international students, visit NYU’s official page. To understand the broader implications of ICE enforcement on campuses, explore this report.
The coming weeks will be pivotal for NYU as it navigates these complex challenges. Will the university step up to protect its students, or will it remain silent in the face of mounting pressure? Only time will tell.NYU Students Express Concerns Over Surveillance and Lack of Protections Amid Protests
Students at New york University (NYU) are raising alarms over what they describe as invasive surveillance and a lack of institutional support following recent protests. One member of NYU’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, revealed that the university had tracked their movements during a December 11 protest.The student shared that they requested surveillance footage and discovered the university had documented the exact time they entered the library, the clothes they were wearing, and even the moment they changed outfits. “Other students had experienced similar fears regarding identification,” the student noted, a concern echoed during a recent petition delivery by faculty members.
“The fact that it hasn’t made any statements against this or affirmed protections of students is very concerning,” the student told WSN. “It’s been a very real concern, I think, among international students and among everyone.”
The university’s silence on the matter has left many feeling vulnerable, particularly as tensions rise on campuses nationwide. The lack of clear protections has sparked broader conversations about student rights and the role of institutions in safeguarding their communities.
| Key Concerns Raised by NYU students |
|—————————————–|
| invasive surveillance during protests |
| Lack of institutional statements |
| Fears of identification and retaliation |
| Concerns among international students |
As debates over campus safety and free speech continue, students are calling for greater transparency and accountability from NYU. For those looking to report any illegal activity, including vandalism, intimidation, or trespassing, the university has yet to provide clear guidance or assurances.
For further updates on this developing story, contact Audrey Abrahams at [email protected].
Editor’s Interview with NYU Student Activist
Editor: Thank you for joining us today. Can you start by sharing your perspective on the recent protests at NYU and the concerns you’ve raised about surveillance?
Student Activist: Thank you for having me. The protests have been a critical moment for students to voice their support for Palestine, but it’s been overshadowed by the university’s invasive surveillance. As an example, I discovered that NYU had tracked my movements during a protest on December 11. They documented everything—when I entered the library, what I was wearing, even when I changed clothes. This level of monitoring is deeply unsettling and raises serious concerns about student privacy and safety.
Editor: That does sound alarming. Have other students shared similar experiences?
student Activist: Absolutely. Many students, especially those involved with Students for Justice in palestine, have expressed fears about being identified and retaliated against. During a recent petition delivery by faculty members, these concerns were echoed widely. It’s not just about the protests—it’s about the university’s failure to protect its students and uphold their rights.
editor: There’s been a lot of talk about the role of MACA and ICE threats.how do these factor into students’ concerns?
Student Activist: MACA’s involvement has added another layer of tension. By encouraging ICE reporting of protesters through their “proxy parenting” tactics, they’re directly threatening international students and faculty. NYU claims it’s not influenced by MACA, but the university’s silence on enhanced protections for international students speaks volumes. it’s frightening to think that NYU might comply if federal agencies demand students’ personal data.
Editor: How do you feel about the university’s response so far?
Student Activist: Frankly, it’s been inadequate. NYU hasn’t issued any public statement affirming protections for students or addressing the surveillance issue. This lack of action has left many of us feeling vulnerable and questioning the university’s commitment to academic freedom and student safety.
editor: What do you hope to see from NYU moving forward?
Student activist: We need clarity and accountability. NYU must take a stronger stance in protecting its students, especially international students who are at risk of deportation. Clear guidelines on surveillance, statements against ICE threats, and enhanced resources for students are essential. The university has the power to step up and safeguard its community, but it has to act now.
Conclusion
This interview highlights the growing concerns among NYU students regarding surveillance, ICE threats, and the university’s lack of action. As tensions rise, students are calling for greater transparency and accountability to ensure their safety and rights are protected. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether NYU will rise to the occasion or remain silent in the face of mounting pressure.
