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Yale dean placed on leave after leaving racist, elitist Yelp reviews
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Yale dean placed on leave after leaving racist, elitist Yelp reviews

June Chu, dean of Yale's Pierson College, was placed on leave last week by Pierson College Head Stephen Davis after reviews Chu left on Yelp were published by Yale Daily News earlier in May.

About one New Haven, Connecticut, restaurant, Chu wrote, "To put it quite simply: if you are white trash, this is the perfect night out for you! This establishment is definitely not authentic by any stretch of any imagination and perfect for those low class folks who believe this is a real night out."

Davis said that upon investigation, Chu's "reprehensible posts" were part of a larger pattern that proved problematic.

About placing Chu on leave, Davis said:

"Let me be clear. No one, especially those in trusted positions of educating young people, should denigrate or stereotype others, and that extends to any form of discrimination based on class, race, religion, age, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation."

Davis said that Chu's suspension extended through commencement on May 22, and did not address or elaborate upon what Chu's future at the university might be.

Chu apologized for the insensitive postings.

"There are no two ways about it," Chu said. "Not only were [the comments] insensitive in matters related to class and race; they demean the values to which I hold myself and which I offer as a member of this community."

In 2016, Chu penned an article for Inside Higher Ed, promoting cultural sensitivity.

Chu wrote:

“If we continually advise without understanding diverse students’ practical concerns, while appreciating their distinct cultural value systems, we inadvertently project the idea that independence is the norm and interdependence is an erroneous way of thinking.”

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