MIT dean resigns over false credentials

Yesterday, while checking up on current events on cnn.com, I came across an article whose headline read, “MIT dean resigns in lying scandal”. The article details how 28 years ago the current dean of admissions for MIT, Marilee Jones, lied on her resume about receiving degrees from three different colleges that she never attended. After leading the recruitment of women to MIT, one of the most prestigious schools in the US, and then later earning the position of dean of admissions, it had been brought to the school’s attention that her credentials were questionable. Thus, the university investigated and found that Jones had lied on her resume. With that said, it makes me wonder if Marilee Jones should have stepped as dean of admissions. She played a crucial role in helping the development of MIT. She received awards like the “MIT Excellence Award for Leading Change”, MIT’s highest award for administrators, and the “Gordon Y Billard Award”, which is given for “ special service of outstanding merit.” Still, I believe that Jones’ only choice was to resign.
Jones had to resign because she had many opportunities to notify the university of her false credentials on her resume. Jones said, “I misrepresented my academic degrees when I first applied to MIT 28 years ago and did not have the courage to correct my resume when I applied for my current job or at any time since” (cnn.com). The longer she kept this secret, the worse her punishment was going to be. Taking responsibility for one’s actions shows growth and maturity, and one would think a woman of her status would know better. But she showed that she lacked honesty, which I believe is a crucial attribute to being successful and respected. Who knows if Jones would have ever admitted that she lied on her resume if she had not been caught?
Additionally, Marilee Jones jeopardized the integrity of MIT. How does it make MIT, one of the most prestigious schools in the country, look if they hire someone who lies on their resume. Her lie would not only affect herself, but also everyone associated with MIT because his or her integrity would be at risk. Dean of Undergraduate education of the Cambridge school notes, “ the integrity of this institute is our highest priority, and we cannot tolerate this kind of behavior” (cnn.com). It is ironic too because she has been a major proponent of MIT for students “lowering the flame” concerning their transcripts for college admissions. She aimed at making the college admissions process less stressful for students. But she could not even follow her won advice and had succumbed to the pressure.
Marilee Jones is a woman who has helped make monumental changes at MIT, but all her credibility and success has been compromised because she was afraid to take responsibility for her actions.

Don Imus is a radio DJ who has spent almost 40 years on the air. CBS sponsored his radio show and MSNBC broadcasted this radio show on television. Recently, Imus made sexist and racist remarks about the Rutgers’ women’s basketball team after they lost in the finals of NCAA championship. He described them as “nappy-headed hos.” As a result of these comments and the reaction from the public, MSNBC dropped his broadcast and CBS cancelled his radio show. Imus made those comments and has to live with the consequences, but was it a fair punishment to fire him?

The answer is yes. First of all, this was not the first time Don Imus has made crude and unforgivable remarks. On his radio show, he constantly bashes politicians and celebrities. And while high-profile people are used these types of comments, the women of the Rutgers’ basketball team are not. Also, they do not deserve this type of disrespect. His comment was not only an insult to the women of the basketball team, but also to women in general. These women from the Rutgers’ basketball team go to school, learn, and represent their school well. They have done nothing wrong. So for Imus to make such hurtful and uncalled for comments about them was wrong, and he had to be punished.

Secondly, CBS and MSNBC had to fire Don Imus because they needed to prove to the public that they still have high morals and values and would not continue to employ someone who says such deplorable things. Even though Don Imus was at fault, CBS and MSNBC firing Imus dealt more with making a statement that the media should hold itself to a higher standard. Even though free speech is part of what makes America unique, it can sometimes be taken too far. Imus’s firing represents CBS making a stand against the misuse of the radio.

Imus did meet with the basketball team and the team did forgive him. But just a slap on the wrist would not have been enough to stop Imus, or other radio DJ’s from continuing their crude commentary. Hopefully this incident will persuade other people in the media to think more about what they say on the air and how their words can affect other people. Our culture must take a stand against racist and sexist remarks, because if we don’t, then all the hard work our parents and grandparents put into the civil rights moment will be worthless.