Academics at the American University in Cairo (AUC) are trying to oust the school’s president after he gave US Secretary Mike Pompeo a platform for a controversial speech last month. On Tuesday, the University Senate, which is the representative council of the university faculty with the inclusion of students, staff and administrators, passed a vote of no confidence in the President of AUC Francis J. Ricciardone to express their dismay at the operation of the University and their views on the lack of appropriate consultation before decisions are made. At a public meeting, they called for a change of the administration as Ricciardone failed to consult the staff before hosting Pompeo at the university, in which he gave a controversial speech criticizing President Barack Obama’s Middle East policies and emphasizing the goodness of Israel. The guest list to Pompeo’s controversial speech at AUC was set by the American Embassy which meant that the attendees were exclusive prohibiting members of the AUC community from attending. The academics said that though their grievances predated Pompeo’s speech, which include low morale, complaints about his management style, grievances over contracts and accusations of illegal discrimination, the situation…
