Harvard University is facing another controversy as plagiarism allegations have emerged against its Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Sherri Ann Charleston.
An anonymous complaint received by the Ivy League institution this week details approximately 40 instances of alleged plagiarism by Charleston, spanning back to 2009, according to a report from the New York Post.
The complaint contends that Charleston failed to provide proper attribution when quoting or paraphrasing a dozen scholars in her 2009 dissertation at the University of Michigan.
One specific instance highlighted in the complaint involves her failure to cite her husband, LaVar Charleston’s study.
LaVar, currently serving as the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s deputy vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, authored the paper in question in 2012.
Sherri Ann Charleston allegedly reused substantial portions of this paper in a co-authored article with her husband, published in the Journal of Negro Education in 2014.
This plagiarism complaint has been formally lodged not only with Harvard but also with the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It’s noteworthy that the allegations date back over a decade, predating Charleston’s tenure at Harvard.
These accusations have come to light in the aftermath of Harvard University President Claudine Gay’s resignation due to plagiarism allegations and her handling of antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Claudine Gay faced scrutiny when a viral video clip depicted Ivy League college presidents, including Gay, refraining from condemning widespread antisemitism on their campuses during a congressional testimony.
This prompted public outrage, with demands for Gay’s resignation intensifying. Subsequently, allegations of plagiarism emerged against her.
In her resignation letter, Gay, who made history as the first Black person to lead Harvard University, cited personal threats and “racial animus” as contributing factors.
Over 70 lawmakers, primarily Republicans along with two Democrats, joined the call for her resignation. High-profile Harvard alumni and donors, including billionaire Bill Ackman, also advocated for her departure.
