Monday, 28 May, 2018
  • National
  • Harvard rescinds offers to incoming freshmen over hateful memes

Harvard rescinds offers to incoming freshmen over hateful memes

Harvard rescinds offers to incoming freshmen over hateful memes Harvard rescinds offers to incoming freshmen over hateful memes
Kelley Robertson | 06 June, 2017, 05:54

Opinions on the decision vary, with some students telling The Crimson they don't believe any internet activity that's unaffiliated with the university should be monitored, let alone result in a rejection from the school, while others think Harvard acted accordingly.

The university has rescinded admissions offers to at least 10 prospective freshman after the students traded sexually explicit and other offensive graphics and messages in a private Facebook group chat. The group, which at one point was labeled "Harvard memes for horny bourgeois teens", was sharing content that made fun of touchy subjects such as sexual harassment, the Holocaust and more. The chat group was described as an obscene offshoot of a Class of 2021 forum, where potential students would share memes and commentary about pop culture and mutual interests. To become a member of the small R-rated chat group, students would have to post an inappropriate meme to the original Facebook page to prove worthiness.

The Crimson did not identify any of the students who said their admission offers were withdrawn.

Many will agree these students crossed a line and forfeited the right to engage in unfettered debate, at least at Harvard.

While a Harvard representative told Business Insider that the university did not "comment publicly on the admissions status of individual applicants", the posts likely called into question the students' moral character.

Harvard's doors are no longer open to at least 10 students previously accepted into its class of 2021. And now they won't be able to say, "I parked my vehicle on Harvard Yard". It might just get you rejected from your dream school.

It's nearly ironic that these students were smart enough to get into Harvard, which admits a mere 5.2 percent of applicants (2,056 out of 39,506 applicants), according to the school, yet weren't wise enough to recognize that their actions have consequences. "As we understand, you were among the members contributing such material to this chat". Once a student's offer is rescinded, the decision is final. On the other hand, if it denied admission to every high school kid who said something offensive, no one would ever go to college again.

"I do not know how those offensive images could be defended", she continued. Last year, several members of the Class of 2020 joked about race and mocked feminists in a group chat. But with this action, Harvard is sending a message with a classic free-speech chill: You can say anything - but not here.

Thad Matta out as basketball coach at Ohio State
New smart speaker expected as Apple kicks off conference

Recommended

  • ICC Champions Trophy 2017

    ICC Champions Trophy 2017

    Williamson's departure heralded a mini collapse by the Kiwis as they lost the remaining six wickets over the next six overs. His innings was studded with 8 fours and 3 sixes. "We bowled both sides of the wicket and it was pretty ordinary ".
    Trump's tweeted typo covfefe becoming vanity license plates

    Trump's tweeted typo covfefe becoming vanity license plates

    He deleted it at 5.50 a.m., and by then, it was re-tweeted more than 100,000 times, making it the career best for Mr. Trump who routinely announces policy and snipes at critics at home and overseas in fewer than 140 characters.

    Del Potro wins 1st match at French Open since 2012

    That may sound ideal to a tennis-loving bachelor, but as Andy Murray will tell you, it can take its toll on a family man. That will be against Juan Martin Del Potro , who rather than a horror show found himself caught up in a real "weepie".
  • Officials say Trump may not try to block Comey's testimony

    Officials say Trump may not try to block Comey's testimony

    Collins was discussing Comey's scheduled testimony - set for Thursday - before the Senate Intelligence Committee. I didn't even really talk to him. "That's the extent of my acquaintance with Mr Flynn", he added.
    'Wonder Woman' gross revised up to $103.1 million

    'Wonder Woman' gross revised up to $103.1 million

    Next week, Lucia Aniello, a writer and director from "Broad City", will release her bachelorette comedy " Rough Night ". The studio said Monday that the tickets sold on Sunday turned out to be even higher than it estimated over the weekend.
    Venus Williams exits French Open after Bacsinszky defeat

    Venus Williams exits French Open after Bacsinszky defeat

    How old is she? 36? 36? Venus Williams wasn't in the most talkative of moods Sunday after a three-set loss at the French Open . With losses on Sunday by defending champion Garbine Muguruza , seven-time major victor Venus Williams and 2011 U.S.
  • Report of multiple casualties in incident on London Bridge

    Report of multiple casualties in incident on London Bridge

    But small hardline groups, including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf, have refused to negotiate and sought to united behind IS. Lorenzana said there might have been other foreign fighters killed in the battle.

    Putin: 'I didn't even really talk' to Flynn during dinner

    The dinner Putin referred to was a gala for the Russian state news agency, RT. "I made my speech". As far as the findings of US intelligence agencies, Putin said, "They have been misled".

    Pro-Trump rally, counter protests draw thousands in downtown Portland

    The free-speech rally organized by a conservative group called Patriot Prayer drew hundreds to a plaza near City Hall . Another wearing a "Police Lives Matter" T-shirt said she wanted to "reverse the lies" surrounding Trump supporters.
  • UN Population Fund chief dies

    UN Population Fund chief dies

    He was married, had five children and several grandchildren. " Funeral Arrangements will be announced by the family ". He had extensive knowledge of the global and national frameworks and processes that are critical to UNFPA's work.
    Thad Matta out as basketball coach at Ohio State

    Thad Matta out as basketball coach at Ohio State

    The Buckeyes said a national search for a new coach would begin right away. When asked if he was finished coaching, Matta said, "Never say never.
    White House informing allies Trump will abandon climate pact

    White House informing allies Trump will abandon climate pact

    A downward revision would certainly prompt criticism from the global community, but not almost so much as an abandonment. In light of this, it will be hard for the President to argue that the Paris agreement hurts the USA economy.

Djokovic, Muguzura, Nadal in action at French Open Djokovic, Muguzura, Nadal in action at French Open The 14-time major victor has dropped just 20 games in four rounds so far, just one more than he lost at the same stage in 2012. Mladenovic could have company in the quarterfinals, though: Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia plays her fourth-round match Monday.

New smart speaker expected as Apple kicks off conference New smart speaker expected as Apple kicks off conference Amazon just announced its AI assistant Alexa will now be able to recognize commands to set reminders and named timers. - iPhone 8. Amazon has updated its smart speaker so that it's fully functional in the build-up to the General Election.

Elina Svitolina ends Petra Martic dream run to reach French Open quarters Argentina's Paola Suarez was the last South American woman to reach a quarterfinal at a Slam at Wimbledon in 2004. The 26-year-old started the second set where she'd left off, breaking an error-strewn Svitolina to love.

Semi-finals delayed by light winds The winners of the qualifying series will carry a point into the regatta finale, the Cup Match, if they get that far. The other two semi-finalists will be Artemis Racing and Softbank Team Japan.

England, New Zealand Seek Tightened Security Ahead Of Match SPORT360 MATCH PREDICTION: England go into the match as favourites, but you can not rule out New Zealand from any contest. This England team have grown up in the intervening months. "So I think they've contributed to it as a whole".

Australian Woman Stabbed In Throat During London Bridge Attack Our thoughts are with those killed and injured in these horrifying attacks, and we will bring more details as they come in. A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Zelenak's family during their search.

Ex-MMA fighter gets 36 years to life in kidnap, beating case Ex-MMA fighter gets 36 years to life in kidnap, beating case As Radar previously reported, Mack claimed that her ex-boyfriend walked in on her and a man named Corey Thomas on August 8, 2014. The 35-year-old Jonathan Paul Koppenhaver , who was convicted by a jury in March, will be eligible for parole in 36 years.

Spelling bee champ asked to spell 'covfefe,' gets it wrong Spelling bee champ asked to spell 'covfefe,' gets it wrong Ananya, of Fresno, California , won the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Thursday after numerous rounds against Rohan Rajeev . Vinay said she has two plans for her prize money: sharing it with her younger brother and putting it into her college account.

Zidane can stay at Real Madrid for life, says Perez Zidane can stay at Real Madrid for life, says Perez In the run-up to the final, it sounded like Juventus were favourites and were playing a team who'd reached the final by chance. We pressed a lot more and physically we won the game there too, so I'm very happy".

'Pirates of the Caribbean' tops box office, 'Baywatch' sinks Over time, the "Pirates" franchise has become more reliant on overseas ticket sales, and that's certainly the case this time out. First, Alien: Covenant , according to Mojo's chart, lost almost 71 percent in grosses from its opening last weekend.

When is Game 3 of the NBA Finals? With a crushing defeat behind them, the Cavs will attempt to even the series when the game tips off at 8:00 PM ET on ABC tonight. Steve Kerr was back on the bench for the Warriors in this one, which was great to see and gave the Warriors and emotional boost.

Goldman Vilified by Venezuelan Opposition Over Alleged Bond Deal Goldman Vilified by Venezuelan Opposition Over Alleged Bond Deal Since April 1, Venezuela has been beset by near daily protests and violent clashes with government forces that have left 59 dead. Julio Borges , the opposition lawmaker who heads the National Assembly, wrote a letter of protest to Lloyd C.

Murray confident ahead of Del Potro clash And now I know his game a lot, but I need to be in good shape and physically be stronger if we play a long match, long rallies. The world No 1 came through an absorbing contest on a sweltering Court Suzanne Lenglen 6-7 (3-7 ) 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-3).

Sabzar Ahmad Bhat's encounter: Curfew in valley, all under control The Adviser urged the worldwide community to call upon India to immediately stop the "ruthless killing of defenceless Kashmiris". Kashmiri resistance leader Yasin Malik , chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, visited the family on Saturday.

Australian killed during altercation in San Francisco Australian killed during altercation in San Francisco Fox 2 News reported that investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from a nearby security camera. Andrew Borden, of Wisconsin, was also a guest at the hotel early Friday.