Harvard removes online bio of student filmed harassing Israeli peer.
The college has yet to address the incident—but established a task force devoted to helping student protesters whose identities have been made public.
Harvard University has taken down the biography of a graduate student and freshman proctor who was caught on video confronting an Israeli student during a campus protest. In response, the school has formed a task force to support student protesters whose names were exposed after they accused Israel of the Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas.
The Dean of Students Office no longer includes a biography for Elom Tettey-Tamaklo, a divinity school student who supervises university undergraduates. Tettey-Tamaklo and others were captured on video pushing and shoving an Israeli student during a pro-Palestinian protest, with attendees surrounding him wearing keffiyehs and shouting “SHAME!”
It is unclear whether the removal of Tettey-Tamaklo’s information was at his request, Harvard’s initiative to protect him, or if he has been removed from his proctor role. Madeleine Currie, a resident dean, did not comment, but a Harvard student familiar with the situation revealed that the freshman students under Tettey-Tamaklo’s care have not received any updates about his position.
While Harvard has yet to publicly address the harassment of its student, the university strongly opposes the public identification of student protesters, which Dean of Students Thomas Dunne described as a “repugnant assault on our community.”
Dunne, who oversees the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, did not respond to inquiries about whether his task force would assist the students shown in the video or if Harvard plans to take disciplinary action against them.
Tettey-Tamaklo’s behavior at the “die-in” protest has drawn criticism from notable Harvard Business School alumni. Five graduates, including Sen. Mitt Romney (R., Utah) and billionaire investor Seth Klarman, penned an open letter condemning the school’s failure to protect Jewish students, citing the “die-in” protest as evidence.
“The videos that have been made public, particularly the most recent violent assault of an Israeli student on the Harvard Business School campus, allow us all to see how Jewish and Israeli students are targets of threats and violence from groups of pro-Palestinian students,” the letter states. “Despite these serious concerns, University leadership shockingly has been paralyzed. … We fear that history is on the verge of repeating itself.”
Following Hamas’s terrorist attack on Israel, which claimed the lives of over 1,300 Israelis, including women and children, Harvard Graduate School of Education dean Bridget Terry Long sent a message to students blaming both ”Hamas and the Israeli government.” Harvard president Claudine Gay later issued a statement expressing sorrow for the death and destruction caused by the Hamas attack but failed to denounce the student groups that defended Hamas.
Gay’s response received criticism from former Harvard president Larry Summers and other influential alumni and donors.
“The delayed @Harvard leadership statement fails to meet the needs of the moment,” Summers wrote on X. “Why can’t we find anything approaching the moral clarity of Harvard statements after George Floyd’s death or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine when terrorists kill, rape, and take hostage hundreds of Israelis attending a music festival?”
What support and resources does the task force established by Harvard’s student affairs offer to student protesters whose identities have been exposed?
Es student affairs at Harvard, has established a task force dedicated to assisting student protesters whose identities have been exposed. The task force aims to provide support and resources to these students, ensuring their safety and well-being in the face of potential backlash or harassment.
The incident in question occurred during a pro-Palestinian protest on campus, where tensions were running high. In a video that circulated online, Tettey-Tamaklo and others can be seen engaging in physical confrontation with an Israeli student. The video also shows other protesters surrounding the student, wearing keffiyehs and chanting “SHAME!”. The incident sparked outrage and led to the exposure of Tettey-Tamaklo’s name and background.
Concerns have arisen regarding the removal of Tettey-Tamaklo’s biography from the Dean of Students Office website. The reasons behind this action remain unclear, with speculation ranging from a personal request from Tettey-Tamaklo to Harvard’s efforts to protect him. Additionally, it is uncertain whether Tettey-Tamaklo has been removed from his role as a proctor. Despite the lack of official comment from Madeleine Currie, a resident dean, a student aware of the situation revealed that there has been no communication regarding Tettey-Tamaklo’s status with the freshman students under his care.
While Harvard University has yet to address the incident publicly and provide details about any disciplinary measures taken, the institution has made its stance clear. Dean of Students Thomas Dunne condemned the public identification of student protesters, considering it a “repugnant assault on our community”. The establishment of the task force signifies Harvard’s commitment to supporting and protecting its students, particularly those who have been targeted and exposed due to their involvement in protests.
In conclusion, the removal of Tettey-Tamaklo’s biography and the formation of the task force demonstrate Harvard University’s response to the recent incident involving student protesters. While many questions remain unanswered, it is evident that the institution is taking concrete steps to address the situation and ensure the well-being of its students. By condemning the public identification of protesters and establishing a support system, Harvard is reaffirming its commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive campus environment.
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