January 1, Columbia Uproar Over Border Patrol Recruiting

Wyatt’s Take

• Professors and students protested a Border Patrol job fair listing at Columbia.
• The university took down the posting after backlash, but the event will still happen.
• Some argue removing the listing denies students real job options.

Columbia University faced pushback from its own professors and students after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection virtual career expo appeared on the school’s jobs page.

The online event, which promised thousands of Homeland Security openings, angered faculty members.

Journalism professor Helen Benedict posted

“Capitulation. Columbia is recruiting for ICE. Alumni write in now. Cancel donations.”

Another professor, Nina Berman, wrote

“The depravity is bottomless.”

A group of faculty claimed the posting made some feel “targeted or unsafe” and accused the university of aiding an “authoritarian” agenda.

The Young Democratic Socialists group also criticized Columbia for allowing it.

By the end of the day, Columbia removed the job listing, though the CBP event is still happening.

University officials explained that 12twenty, an outside platform, posted the listing, along with jobs from other federal agencies.

They said it does not mean Columbia supports the hire.

Some, like retired teacher Rich Candia, spoke out against taking it down.

“This is quite hypocritical because the schools promote ‘choice’ but they are denying choice when they hinder the posting of such employment.”

Candia said.

The Border Patrol has also faced protest at other colleges, pulling back from events at places like Saint Louis University and Villanova.

For many, this debate is about whether students are shown all the options for their futures.

Source

Wyatt Matters

Folks around here know that real jobs mean stability and pride. Blocking career chances closes the door for those willing to work and serve.