Princeton University Moves to Promote Professor Involved in Controversial Protest

Princeton University is considering promoting classics scholar Dan-el Padilla Peralta from associate to full professor, following his involvement in a disruptive protest that led to multiple arrests. An email obtained by the Washington Free Beacon reveals that the promotion is pending approval from the university's board of trustees. Peralta, who already holds tenure, played a significant role in the April occupation of Clio Hall, which was marked by anti-Israel sentiments and drew attention for its impact on university operations. The chair of the classics department, Barbara Graziosi, expressed her enthusiasm for Peralta's potential promotion in a recent communication to colleagues, indicating that the news is still unofficial until the board's endorsement. This move aligns with a broader trend among peer institutions, which have adopted lenient responses to protests that have escalated since the October 7 terrorist attacks. Other universities, such as Northwestern and Middlebury, have opted for negotiations with protesters, often conceding to their demands. During the April sit-in, Peralta, alongside sociologist Ruha Benjamin, advocated for a faculty resolution that would grant amnesty to students involved in protests related to Palestine. This resolution, which narrowly passed in May, criticized the university's disciplinary actions against the protesters. In contrast to Harvard's initial threats of severe sanctions, Princeton has maintained a more lenient stance, suggesting that the students involved are unlikely to face more than probation.