MIT can forget the lazy days of summer. The public image of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is in crisis over charges of racism, and things look set to get worse in the next two weeks.
James Sherley, an MIT stem cell scientist, has been protesting his department’s refusal to consider him for tenure two years ago. Sherley is one of about 30 black professors at MIT, and he claims racism and conflicts of interest marred his chances of fair treatment. MIT’s leadership backs the department’s decision and has ordered Sherley to vacate his laboratory by 30 June. Sherley says…
