- Jennifer Hochschild has written an apology to Harvard Extension School students
- It came after he claimed HES is ‘not the same’ as the main school, in a bid to discredit Chris Rufo
- Her apology was rejected by Rufo, who claimed she had ‘disparaged’ HES
A Harvard professor has apologized for offending students at the university where she teaches after discovering that the activist who toppled Claudine Gay is an alumnus.
Jennifer Hochschild was criticized by her students after stating that the Harvard Extension School HES was “not the same” as the main school.
Her comments came as she tried to discredit conservative activist Chris Rufo, who was instrumental in exposing plagiarism claims that toppled former President Claudine Gay.
The professor of Government and African and African American Studies alleged that Rufo misrepresented his degree from HES.
“About Rufo: What does the Integrity Police say about his claim that he has a ‘master’s degree from Harvard,’ which is actually from the open-enrollment Extension School?” Hochschild wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Those students are great – I teach them – but they are not the same as what we normally think of as Harvard students.”
Harvard professor Jennifer Hochschild apologized to the students at the Harvard Extension School, whom she teaches, for insulting the institution as a way to undermine the credibility of Chris Rufo, an HES alumnus who helped topple Claudine Gay undermine
Hochschild questioned Chris Rufo’s integrity, saying he misrepresented his HES master’s degree
Hochschild stated that HES is “not the same” as the main Harvard university, something later disputed by the HES student association
She added, “Rufo could have proudly and honorably said, ‘I held myself up to prove that I have a master’s degree from Harvard Extension School, along with other bright and courageous students.’
“Instead, he used weasel words to attach himself to Ivy’s status and prestige. Insecurity??’ she continued.
But days later she was forced into an embarrassing climb down, amid angry reactions from her students and student association HES.
“I was asked to clarify, and I am happy to do so: HES courses are Harvard U courses (often the same as in FAS, as for my courses),” Hochschild wrote.
‘HES bachelor’s and master’s degrees are Harvard U degrees. HES is a school in Harvard U analogous to other schools. HES students are students at Harvard U.
Rufo was among those who highlighted the plagiarism allegations against former Harvard President Claudine Gay
The apology came after student association HES issued a statement about the professor’s ‘disappointing’ statements
But it was rejected by Rufo, who said she had ‘disparaged’ HES
‘About this maelstrom, especially to HES students/staff: I think it is a shame that you have become involved in a dispute that has nothing to do with you and that has caused a lot of unrest.
‘I endorse and admire HES’s promotion of an inclusive, committed and ambitious student organization. I’m sorry my writing seemed to suggest otherwise. ‘
However, her apology was rejected by Rufo in a response to the post on X.
“This is still not an apology,” he replied. “Try this: “I apologize for denigrating HES in a petty, failed attempt to discredit Christopher Rufo. I was angry that Mr. Rufo scalped my friend Claudine Gay. I should not have reacted this way. the facts wrong and I say ‘I’m sorry.’
Rufo was one of Gay’s most outspoken opponents in the final days of her tenure, during which she was dogged by accusations of plagiarism and claimed she was not doing enough to protect Jewish students on campus amid clashes between Pro Israel and Pro Palestine supporters in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks.
Gay resigned from her position on December 2, amid the furor and after a disastrous congressional hearing in which she failed to declare that calling for the genocide of Jews would be considered hate speech on her campus.
Hochschild’s apology came after the HES student association was “deeply concerned and disappointed” by Hochschild’s comments.
“We urge the community, especially HES faculty, to consider the far-reaching impact of their words,” the group said in a statement.