History Professor Russell Rickford, who has come under fire for calling the Hamas attacks in Israel “exhilarating” and “energizing,” has taken a leave of absence.
According to an email acquired by the Review, Rickford will not teach his survey course on post-civil war African American history for the remainder of the semester. A Friday email from Professor Tamika Nunley to the class’ students indicates that she will teach the class while Rickford is on leave:
Professor Rickford will be taking a leave of absence and I will assume teaching responsibilities for this course for the remainder of the semester.
Cornell Media Relations confirmed Rickford’s leave, saying: “Professor Russell Rickford has requested and received approval to take a leave of absence from the university.” The Cornell history department, when asked for comment about Rickford’s status, only referred to the university’s statement condemning the professor.
Rickford’s leave comes amidst a petition demanding his termination that has attracted almost 11,000 signatures on change.org. However, the Review cannot verify how many signatures belong to Cornell students, staff, faculty, alumni, and other interested community members. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) also called for his resignation.
Rickford issued a formal apology in the Daily Sun on Wednesday, calling his remarks “reckless.” He also expressed regret for the “pain” that his words “caused my family, my students, my colleagues and many others.”
Rickford’s – seemingly temporary – departure comes amidst immense pressure on the university to dismiss him for his comments. Beginning on Thursday, a mobile billboard truck bearing his face and a demand to fire him began circulating on campus. The following morning, activists surrounded the truck and demanded it leave campus. The truck switched off its electronic display and left around 1:00 PM yesterday.
Meanwhile, the university has issued a statement denouncing Rickford by name after issuing a general statement condemning those who “glorify the evilness of Hamas terrorism.”
The controversy surrounding Rickford and the larger Israeli-Palestinian conflict has engulfed almost every part of campus. Earlier this week, a Cornell professor removed posters critical of Rickford from a public bulletin board in Goldwin Smith Hall. Meanwhile, activists on both sides have covered campus with literature. Rallies and vigils have attracted dozens – if not hundreds – of students on both sides of the issue.
The Student Assembly was also spurred to action, as it was forced to consider a resolution on the Hamas attacks. If adopted, the resolution would have encouraged the university to acknowledge “context” to Hamas’ actions. The resolution did not secure the requisite two-thirds majority to advance to further consideration.
Neither Cornell nor the history department have indicated whether Rickford will face further action upon his return from leave.
This story has been updated with Cornell’s confirmation that Rickford requested the leave of absence.
