Hi Paul,

While I certainly wasn't generalizing beyond the present case,

I don't believe that the present case is exactly an outlier either....

But that's an old story

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HPO68YaPgk

best,

Matthew

Matthew T. Kapstein

Professor emeritus

Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, PSL Research University, Paris

Associate

The University of Chicago Divinity School

https://ephe.academia.edu/MatthewKapstein

https://vajrabookshop.com/product/the-life-and-work-of-auleshi/

https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501716218/tibetan-manuscripts-and-early-printed-books-volume-i/#bookTabs=1

https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501771255/tibetan-manuscripts-and-early-printed-books-volume-ii/#bookTabs=1

https://brill.com/edcollbook/title/60949

Sent with Proton Mail secure email.

On Sunday, March 24th, 2024 at 1:23 PM, Paul Hackett <ph2046@columbia.edu> wrote:

Hi Matthew,

Translation into plain English: "Those who decided may decide."

Translation into plain English: "They were a great group of scholars, but in the end it doesn't much matter."  

So your conclusion is that, in academia, those in positions of authority can do whatever they want, and the accomplishments and qualifications of those under their power are utterly irrelevant to the decision-making process?

You should write more about this.  I’m sure any junior scholar who has ever had to deal with an academic hiring committee would love to hear more about your discovery.

Warmest regards,

Paul Hackett

On Mar 23, 2024, at 9:02 AM, Matthew Kapstein via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info> wrote:

"These changes were consistent with the governance requirements that such boards be periodically reconstituted and closely aligned with the original mission of the series and are within the purview of those who made the decision."

Translation into plain English: "Those who decided may decide."

"The end result notwithstanding, I agree that the members of the editorial board are all remarkable scholars who have made outstanding contributions to this series."

Translation into plain English: "They were a great group of scholars, but in the end it doesn't much matter." 

Or is there a nuance I'm missing....?

Matthew T. Kapstein

Professor emeritus

Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, PSL Research University, Paris

Associate

The University of Chicago Divinity School

On Friday, March 22nd, 2024 at 8:02 PM, Robert P. GOLDMAN via INDOLOGY <indology@list.indology.info> wrote:

Fyi, y’all.

Not clear what they regard as the “original mission."

Bob G.

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Newell, Peggy" <peggy_newell@harvard.edu>

Subject: RE: The Murty Publication Series

Date: March 22, 2024 at 11:58:33 AM PDT

To: "Robert P. GOLDMAN" <rpg@berkeley.edu>

Cc: Harvard Provost <provost@harvard.edu>

Dear Dr. Goldman,

 

Interim President Garber asked me to respond to you on his behalf.  Please forgive the delay.  

 

In consultation with the Provost's Office at Harvard, the Harvard University Press Board of Directors, and Harvard University Press, the Murty Classical Library of India Oversight Board decided to make changes to the MCLI Editorial Board at the end of 2023.  These changes were consistent with the governance requirements that such boards be periodically reconstituted and closely aligned with the original mission of the series and are within the purview of those who made the decision. 

 

I appreciate your concern.  The end result notwithstanding, I agree that the members of the editorial board are all remarkable scholars who have made outstanding contributions to this series.  We are fully committed to continuing the excellent work that they have done.   

 

Best,   

Peggy Newell

 

From: Robert P. GOLDMAN <rpg@berkeley.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2024 3:13 PM
To: Harvard Provost <provost@harvard.edu>
Subject: The Murty Publication Series

 

Dear Provost Garber, 

 

I imagine that you have been hearing a lot about this topic, but I would appreciate it if you would read the attached letter.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Dr. R.P. Goldman

William and Catherine Magistretti Professor of Sanskrit and South Asian Studies Emeritus

and

Joint Editor of South Asia Across the Disciplines

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